Shanghai-based hotel chief Mr Brian Deeson has been appointed the new Chairman of PATA, following the PATA Board of Directors Meeting and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Vancouver, Canada. Mr Deeson takes…
Shanghai-based hotel chief Mr Brian Deeson has been appointed the new Chairman of PATA, following the PATA Board of Directors Meeting and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Vancouver, Canada. Mr Deeson takes over from Mr Richard Beere, Director, International Marketing, Tourism Australia.
Ms Janice Antonson, Vice President, Marketing, Nassau International Airport, has been appointed PATA Chair-elect.
Speaking at the AGM, Mr Deeson, who is CEO, Greater China and Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific for Accor Hospitality, highlighted global warming and the shortage of human resources as two of the biggest challenges facing the industry today.
There is a huge gap emerging between the explosive growth in tourism infrastructure and the available pool of trained personnel, said Mr Deeson. And global warming is no longer a problem that can be left for tomorrow`s generation. We need to address it today.
Mr Deeson said he fully supported the change agenda adopted by PATA under the dynamic leadership of its President & CEO, Peter de Jong. It is crucial that we continue to evolve as an agile, knowledge-based Association to remain a must-join proposition to today`s travel and tourism organisations, he said.
Mr Deeson`s one-year term as PATA Chairman was confirmed at the AGM held on April 22.
In reviewing the past 12 months, out-going PATA Chairman Mr Richard Beere said the Association had successfully embraced his challenge to put the WOW back into PATA.
That WOW related to the response members and non-members would have to the things that PATA does: ranging from industry leadership and advocacy; to the events we run; to the information we provide; to the benefits we deliver to those who support us. I`m pleased to say my WOW agenda report card is well and truly full, he said.
Mr Beere thanked the PATA team, led by Mr de Jong, for the commitment, dedication and professionalism which has been displayed consistently throughout my term of office.
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