PATA and Kazakhstan Sign MoU

Bangkok (Thailand ) – March 10, 2014 – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Committee of Tourism Sector of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (NCE) of Kazakhstan. The agreement strengthens the bond and shared interest between the two associations.

The MoU shows the membership commitment by both parties and aims to promote and develop cooperation in the field of tourism to promote flows of tourists between Kazakhstan and the PATA regions. The agreement will also enhance human resources development in tourism and travel-related industries in order to enhance employment prospects in the travel sector in Kazakhstan.

The MoU was signed by Martin J Craigs, PATA Chief Executive Officer, and Roza Assanbayeva, Chairman of the Committee of the Tourism Sector of the NCE, at ITB Berlin on March 7, 2013. The agreement commits the two organisations to share knowledge through research and publications, to reciprocate participation in meetings and events, to support mutual advocacy positions, and to enhance two-way marketing and market access.

Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome travel and tourism friends both public and private from Kazakhstan into the PATA family. Kazakhstan has many authentic cultural attractions and a fast expanding airline. Air Astana offers a new aircraft fleet and a well-placed hub between Europe and Asia. We look forward to working with Roza Assanbayeva and her motivated staff.”

Roza Assanbayeva, Chairman of the Committee of Tourism Sector of the NCE, added: “The majority of Kazakhstan’s territory lies in Asia which is the world’s most rapidly growing region in terms of tourism and air traffic. Having known about PATA for many years, we are confident our cooperation will develop more business and travel advocacy outcomes for both sides. We are excited to become a part of the PATA family. Signing this MoU at the world’s largest travel mart is especially meaningful.”

United Nations World Tourism Organisation statistics show that International Visitor Arrivals (IVA) for Kazakhstan have been steadily increasing since 2010, with IVA figures for 2010 at 3,393,000, 2011 at 4,093,000, and 2012 at 4,438,000.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for 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, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, comprising 90 government, state and city tourism bodies, 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 the 41 local PATA chapters worldwide, who organise training and business development events. Their grassroots activism underpins PATA’s membership of the Global Travel Association Coalition (GTAC), which includes ACI, CLIA, IATA, ICAO, WEF, UNWTO and the WTTC.

The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing, Sydney, Dubai, London and New York.

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