PATA International elects new Executive Board , honours industry leaders

Travel Biz News —

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) elected a new PATA Executive Board under the leadership of Soon-Hwa Wong.

Soon-Hwa replaces Dr. Chris Bottrill who was elected Chair in May 2018 and remains a member of the Executive Board as Immediate Past Chair.

Soon-Hwa has some 40 years of extensive experience in the Asia Pacific tourism and hospitality industry .He recently set up AsiaChina, primarily focusing on the two-way tourism flow between China and the APAC region.

Presently serving as Chairman of the PATA Singapore Chapter, Soon-Hwa is also the recipient of the PATA Life Member Award in 2018 and PATA Award of Merit in 2008.

During the PATA Board Meeting held virtually on October 12, 2020 , PATA also elected six new members to its Executive Board including Hai Ho, CEO – Triip Pte. Ltd., Singapore; Suman Pandey, President – Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure, Nepal; Andrew Jones FIH. CHA, Guardian – Sanctuary Resorts, Hong Kong SAR; Dr. Fanny Vong, President – Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM), Macao, China; Oliver Martin, Partner – Twenty31 Consulting Inc., Canada, and Peter Semone, Founder and President – Destination Human Capital Limited, Timor Leste.

Other Executive Board members include Benjamin Liao, Chairman – Forte Hotel Group, Chinese Taipei; Jennifer Chun, Director, Tourism Research – Hawaii Tourism Authority, USA; Vinoop Goel, Regional Director – Airports & External Relations, International Air Transportation Association (IATA), Singapore, and Henry Oh, Jr., Chairman – Global Tour Ltd., Korea (ROK).

Hai Ho and Suman Pandey were elected as the new Vice Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer, respectively.

Similarly, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director – Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Macao, China and Supawan Teerarat, Senior VP, Strategic Business Development & Innovation – Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Thailand have been appointed to the Executive Board as non-voting members.

The new Executive Board members were confirmed at the PATA Annual General Meeting held online on October 14, 2020, according to a statement issued by PATA headquarter today.

PATA honours industry leaders at 69th AGM

Similarrly , PATA presented a series of awards to several individuals in recognition for their contributions to the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region.

The awards – PATA Gallery of Legends Award, PATA Life Membership, and PATA Chair’s Award – were presented during the 69th Annual General Meeting held online in Bangkok on Wednesday ( October 14 ).

Founder of the Pacific Leisure Group, Alwin Zecha, will be inducted into the PATA Gallery of Legends, according to a statement issued by PATA today.

The Gallery of Legends Award is a special honour bestowed once every few years to recipients who were true pioneers in the travel and tourism industry in the Asia Pacific region.

Alwin Zecha contributed greatly towards the growth of tourism in the region and was well respected by the industry. Alwin was the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Pacific Leisure Group, a leading destination management company with offices in 38 countries worldwide.

He was elected PATA President for two consecutive terms in 1985 and 1986 and played a major role in the decision to relocate PATA Headquarters from San Francisco to Bangkok in 1998.

The PATA Life Membership was awarded to Hiran Cooray Chairman of Jetwing Symphony PLC, Sri Lanka and Akbar Shareef, Chairman & Chief Executive of Rakaposhi Tours (Pvt) Ltd., Pakistan.

The award is the Association’s highest individual honour and recognises significant leadership and invaluable dedication to PATA.

The PATA Chair’s Award was presented by Dr. Chris Bottrill, Director, International at Capilano University in North Vancouver, Canada to Peter Semone, Founder and President – Destination Human Capital Limited, Timor Leste.

Similarly , Dr. Chris Bottrill presented Certificates of Appreciation to Bill Calderwood, Managing Director – The Ayre Group Consulting, Australia; Maria Helena De Senna Fernandes, Director – Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Macao, China; and Sarah Mathews, Head of Destination Marketing APAC – TripAdvisor, Hong Kong SAR for their support and assistance during his tenure as Chair of the Association.

On the occasion, PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy said that their achievements should inspire all to work harder for the swift recovery of the entire travel and tourism industry.

October 15 , 2020