PATA Foundation generates profound interest at Gala Dinner

BANGKOK – On Tuesday, October 28, 2014 over 300 delegates from around Asia Pacific and the tourism industry attended the PATA Foundation Gala Dinner at the Galaxy Macau. While numbers are still in the process of being finalized, the event, also known as the Global Tourism Economy Forum 2014 Farewell Dinner, the event generated funds in excess of US$50,000 (with final totals still being tallied). Proceeds from the event will go directly to support the PATA Foundation’s initiatives.
 

Peter Semone, Chairman of the PATA Foundation Board of Trustees said, “Tonight on the occasion of the closing of the Global Tourism Economy Forum, we can show the world our commitment to contributing to the alleviation of poverty and social exclusion.”
 

He emphasised, “We can demonstrate how tourism not only contributes to economic growth, but also reaches out to those that are so poor and underprivileged that they will probably never fly on an airplane, sleep in a hotel room (let alone a proper bed) nor eat at McDonald’s. The dreams that our industry sells are indeed not in their reach, but our industry can reach out to them through the PATA Foundation and improve the quality of their lives.”
 

Pansy Ho, PATA Foundation Ambassador and Chair of the Gala Founding Committee remarked, “This is the Farewell Dinner of the 2014 Global Tourism Economy Forum – this is also the Inaugural PATA Foundation Gala Dinner occurring in Macau. The Forum is proud to dedicate this year’s Farewell Dinner in support of the PATA Foundation, which has a 30-year history of grant giving and promoting sustainable and responsible development of travel and tourism in Asia Pacific.”
 

She added, “Tonight’s theme of ‘Tomorrow’s Vision, Today’s Action’ is a practical response to develop more momentum. As stakeholders, it is in our best interests and in the best interests of generations to come to do whatever it takes to strategize between economic growth and preservation of culture and heritage.”
 

Gala guests, high-level politicians and industry executives from the Asia Pacific region enjoyed an evening highlighted by an exciting live and silent auction of luxury goods and travel packages, and entertainment, with music and dance provided by the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia.
 

Auction items donated by Banyan Tree, Capilano University, the Department of Tourism Philippines, Domaine des Andeols, Dorsett Hospitality International, Garuda Indonesia, Hotel ICON, InterContinental Hong Kong, Jetwing Hotels, Kandaya Resort, Lifestyle Retreats, Maharaja’s Express, Mahaweli Reach, Mexico Tourism Board, PATA India Chapter, PATA Nepal Chapter, Plaza Premium Lounge, Quintessentially Lifestyle, Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, Sala Lodges, Select Hotels, Tauck, and TravelPress generated much interest among high level attendees. The PATA Foundation would like to thank every one of these auction donors for their generosity.
 

The event was made possible by the kind sponsorship of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM, Sands China, SJM Holdings Limited, Wynn Macau, Fortune, and Mazarine Asia Pacific.
 

The PATA Foundation is a natural extension of the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s dedication to the principles of conservation. Since 1985, the PATA Foundation has strived to contribute to the sustainable and responsible long-term development of travel and tourism in Asia Pacific through the areas of environment, cultural heritage, education, and disaster relief when needed. Without overhead and administrative expenses, the Foundation has supported over 126 sustainable tourism projects, granted 123 scholarships and has positively impacted 35 countries in the Asia Pacific region through donations, grants and scholarships worth over US$1.2 million.
 

 

Photo caption (left to right): Peter Semone, Chairman of the PATA Foundation Board of Trustees and Pansy Ho, PATA Foundation Ambassador and Chair of the Gala Founding Committee (Photo courtesy of Mazarine).