Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), has praised PATA’s significant role in the growth of the global tourism industry. From 25-million arrivals worldwide in 1951 to over 900-million today, he said the enviable position enjoyed by the tourism industry today would not have been possible without the work of PATA.
Said Rifai: “Since it was founded in 1951, PATA, as one of the earliest international tourism organisations, has pioneered a huge number of far-reaching promotional activities that has brought destinations in Asia, Europe and North America under one umbrella and speaking with one united voice.”
With an increasing share of the global market, he praised the association’s “unshakeable belief” in Asia and the Pacific, now the world’s second most visited destination. “Tourism of the region, both inbound and outbound, is changing the world tourism landscape and is playing a leading role in the recovery process of the industry in the post-crisis era,” added Rifai.
Throughout 2011, PATA is celebrating 60 years of building tourism with a year-long campaign of events and activities. The focal point of this celebratory year will be the 60th Anniversary and Conference, 9-12 April 2011, at the China World Hotel, Beijing.
Marking the return – after a five-year hiatus – of the PATA Annual Conference, the programme will focus on some of the biggest issues facing travel and tourism executives. High profile speakers from within and outside the industry will discuss topics including distribution challenges, changing demographics, responsible tourism, aviation and new technology.
The conference will also recall the contribution PATA has made over the past six decades, as well as look forward to the role the Association will play in the years to come.
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