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PATA has taken another significant step towards important and necessary changes in its structure and governance. Members of the Association have been notified of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled for Saturday 26 September 2009 in Hangzhou, China (PRC) in conjunction with the PATA Board of Directors’ meeting being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Hangzhou from 25-27 September 2009.
Copies of the proposed new Bylaws will be made available to all PATA members prior to the EGM. PATA Chairman Phornsiri Manoharn is emphasising the importance of the proposed changes for the future of the Association and the desire to engage all members in the change process. Board members meeting in Macau (SAR) in April 2009 discussed in detail the proposal to re-balance the Association in line with the current and likely future demands of travel and tourism in the 21st century.
It is proposed that PATA Board will comprise up to 80 experienced industry executives representing, principally, the very broad cross-section of PATA membership worldwide. The body will be the Association’s ‘think-tank’, offering knowledge, experience and expertise on a wide range of issues affecting Association members and the travel and tourism community as a whole. It is also recommended that PATA Chapters (currently 39 active PATA Chapters worldwide) are represented on this body.
For management, operational and financial matters there will be an Executive Board of Directors of no more than 12 members, led by the duly-appointed Chairman, working in tandem with the CEO and the Association’s senior management team. The Executive Board of Directors will also play an influential role in shaping PATA policy and strategy.
“I stress to all our members the importance of taking part in this vital change process,” said Mrs Manoharn. “These proposed changes are the result of a very thorough, detailed and exhaustive review. My fellow Directors and I remain convinced that we can deliver to our members an Association that offers drive, purpose, resolution and determination.” The timing of the EGM is significant in that it follows PATA Travel Mart, regarded as Asia Pacific’s most important and influential networking and contracting event. This year’s Mart has so far attracted nearly 1,000 delegates consisting of 545 Sellers from 37 markets and 292 Buyers from 51 countries. In addition more than 100 local, regional, national and international media will be in attendance. New markets promoting at PTM for 2009 include Spain and Korea (DPR).
“Despite the many domestic and international challenges facing the travel and tourism industry I am delighted that so many public and private sector organisations have once again recognised the importance of this PATA event,” added Mrs. Manoharn. “We are grateful to the city of Hangzhou which is planning an extravagant welcome for all PATA delegates. With over 1,000 delegates expected in Hangzhou for the Mart and Board Meeting during the entire week I am convinced that PATA will make a significant and lasting impression on our hosts and put Hangzhou on the world tourism map.”
PATA Travel Mart delegates are also being given free access to the UNWTO/PATA two-day conference in Hangzhou on 21-22 September. The Fifth International Conference on Destination Management is tackling the key issue of how to ‘weather the storm of global recession’, taking place at the Zheijang Narada Grand Hotel adjacent to the World Trade Center.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
