PATA unveils new ‘Next Gen’ direction, slams ETS
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The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has outlined its new direction – PATA ‘Next Gen’.
Addressing delegates at the PATA Annual Conference in Kuala Lumpur, the association’s CEO Martin Craigs said the new “forward-looking ethos” was based around three key pillars – advocacy, events and a new research and data tool, PATA MPower.
In terms of advocacy, Craigs said that PATA would speak out on key industry issues, such as aviation taxes, crisis management and environment issues. He also said that PATA wanted to create a range of attractive events, including the recently-launched PATA City Hub forums, which have already been hosted in Hong Kong and Bangkok, and which will move on to Singapore, Beijing, London, Sydney and Wellington, including participation from key industry leaders.
Finally PATA MPower is the incarnation of the association’s new focus on the provision of data to the travel industry. The new tool, which is available on all computers and handheld devices, offers a range of data reports on regional tourism statistics and trends.
Future PATA developments will include PATA TV, a series of destination-focused e-magazines, a ‘VIP Lounge’ in LinkedIn, and new mobile apps.
ETS
Meanwhile, the European Union’s controversial Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is “morally, politically and financially unacceptable”, according to PATA’s CEO Martin Craigs.
Speaking at the PATA Annual Conference, Craigs also quoted Cathay Pacific’s CEO, John Slosar, who said at a recent PATA Hub Forum event in Hong Kong that the ETS was “an outrage”.
Malaysia’s Tourism Minister, Dr Ng Yen Yen also added her voice to the chorus of protests against aviation taxes. “Increasing taxes is not the answer; it is unhealthy for the industry and unhealthy for building relationships,” she said.