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The 2008 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Face of the Future is Kenneth Low, Director Strategy, Asia Pacific for the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
Mr Low will receive his honour during the PATA Foundation Gala Dinner at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka on April 6.
Based in Singapore, Mr Low, who just turned 35, is responsible for planning IHG’s growth strategy in Asia Pacific, with a particular focus on the key markets of China (PRC), India and Japan.
He joined IHG in November 2005 from Abacus International, where he was Head of Corporate Planning and Development.
Announcing the award, PATA President and CEO Peter de Jong said Mr Low was a high achiever who had risen rapidly though the management ranks of two highly successful travel companies.
“We were also pleased that along the way Kenneth found time to connect with PATA through our Young Tourism Professionals (YTP) programme,” he said.
Mr Low was chosen from an impressive shortlist of candidates from private and public sector organisations across the region.
“The calibre of entries gets stronger every year,” said Mr de Jong. “Last year we were delighted to recognise a young entrepreneur from Vietnam, now this year a strategic planner in Singapore.
“With the enormous pressures on human resources in our industry, it is reassuring to see exceptional young professionals like Kenneth Low pursuing careers in travel and tourism.”
Mr Low described the award as a great honour and a big surprise: “It has been a fantastic few years of association with PATA for me, not only as a participant at PATA events but also being involved in YTP programme.”
He added: “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of my company and colleagues who share my enthusiasm for our region and our efforts to ensure a sustainable future for our industry.”
Courtesy of IMEX (the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events), Mr Low will be offered complimentary registration and subsidised travel to attend IMEX 2008 or 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
