PATA heads discuss chapers’ future
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Many of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Chapter chairpersons and members have gathered together at the ‘PATA Chapter Colloquium’, to discuss ways to reinvigorate the Chapter network. This was the first in a series of events at the association’s 60th anniversary celebrations, taking place in Beijing.
A full day of meetings attracted about 65-delegates at Traders Hotel, Beijing. The Colloquium is an initiative designed to increase the cooperation and partnership between the global Chapter network and PATA head office, as well as reinforcing the importance of the Chapters in PATA’s future plans.
In the opening ceremony of the PATA 60th anniversary event, the association’s interim CEO, Bill Calderwood said that PATA would try to increase its regional chapters from 38 to 50 over by 2012.
Speaking at the Colloqium, Calderwood said; “In many ways, this is an exciting phase in the organisation’s history. We need to look at the Chapters; how they can work with inbound and outbound flows; how there can be a two-way communication; how they can help drive business for all quarters, and how this grassroots level can continue to grow.”
Hiran Cooray, Chairman, PATA, added; “This is the most important day of the time we are going to spend together in Beijing. The Chapters are the lifeblood of the Association.”
The event saw brainstorming sessions on how to enhance the relationship between PATA and Chapter members; how to engage members’ interest in two-way tourism; as well as ways to maximise the benefits brought about by technology and social media. New ways of operating and forging relationships between the chapters were also discussed, with the Singapore, Thailand and Malaysian Chapters agreeing to form a collaboration to promote two-way tourism to and from the region.
Preliminary discussions have already taken place to form a Beijing Chapter, while June will see the launch of a Cambodia Chapter.
Comments are closed.