Bangkok Governor Helps Launch the PATAcademy

October 16, 2013 , Bangkok – During a memorable two hour visit on October 15, 2013 to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) headquarters at the Siam Tower , MR Sukhumbhand Paripatra, the Governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) formally applauded PATA “longstanding and recent bridge building initiatives” across the Visitor Economy.” The Governor also confirmed his support for the upcoming “PATAcademy” which he has agreed to speak to and help host December 11-14, 2013 . The first PATAcademy will be delivered from the PATA Engagement Hub in Bangkok .

The PATAcademy demonstrates PATA’s next generation commitment to lifetime Human Capital Development (HCD). The initial trial programme will mix intense classroom interaction with leading practitioners and field visits to see best practices in action in and around Bangkok .

The PATAcademy is the Association’s Human Capital Development initiative. PATA has designed the first PATAcademy to attract between 15 and 20 rising stars with typically five years work experience.

Mr Martin J Craigs , PATA CEO said: “The PATAcademy will provide a 360 degree perspective of the ‘Complete Visitor Economy,’ its reach, its implications, its opportunities and challenges. The PATAcademy shows PATA’s commitment to Human Capital Development and supports the urgent humanware needs of a travel industry that is too often limited by “Silo” mentality and fragmented advocacy. The PATAcademy is not in competition with any existing full or part time academic courses. It is designed to complement the many offerings of PATA educational institutions members”.

The PATA CEO said that human capital development is a PATA priority as the travel sector often suffers labour skills and leadership shortages. “Embracing a clear and focused campaign for human capital development addresses core needs of our members,” said Mr Craigs.

“The PATAcademy has been designed to enhance its students travel industry world view. It also underscores the value of PATA at the local, regional and global level,” he said.

Mr Peter Semone , Chairman of PATA Education and Training Committee said: “I expect the networking and relationships developed at the PATAcademy to be inspirational and encourage life-long friendships, camaraderie and partnerships.”

PATA aims to organise further six-day PATAcademy sessions in 2014. Travel industry professionals wishing to join in the PATAcademy either as participants or mentors should visit www.PATA.org/events/patacademy or email HCD@PATA.org .

About PATA
Since its foundation in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), a not-for profit membership association, has achieved international acclaim by acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

The Association provides aligned advocacy, leadership and events to its members, comprising 90 government, state and city tourism bodies, nearly 30 international airlines, airports and cruise lines, 57 educational institutions, and hundreds of travel industry companies in Asia Pacific and beyond.

Thousands of travel professionals belong to dozens of local PATA chapters worldwide. The chapters organise travel industry training and business development events. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s headquarters are in Bangkok.

About Bangkok
Bangkok today widely is considered to be one of the most dynamic and colourful cities in Asia . Its history is no less a colourful transformation from a sleepy village to a fast-paced 21st century megacity, with a modern city skyline. Bangkok has considerable cultural and historical significance, from the early days of the “Rattanakosin Era” to its expansion in the nineteenth century. Bangkok ‘s evolution into the current regional hub of Asian came about while preserving the city’s unique soul and character, with its landmarks of temples and palaces that remain relatively unchanged over the years.

Media Contact:
PATA Communications,
Bangkok, Thailand.
Tel: +66 2 658 2000
E-mail: communications@PATA.org
Online newsroom: www.PATA.org/Press