PATA to Focus on HCD and CSR
Bangkok (Thailand) – May 22, 2013, Bangkok – The Pacific Asia Travel Association is making internal staff changes to meet the association’s increased commitment to Human Capital Development (HCD), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and enhanced digital communications.
Effective immediately, former Communications Manager, Parita Niemwongse, will take up the role of Manager-Human Capital Development Projects and Awards. Halona Padiachy has been appointed Manager-Communications. Ms Chi Lo has been appointed Engagement Strategist – Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist to fulfil the Association’s responsible tourism priorities.
Over the last 18 months PATA Next Gen has had productive engagements organizing and creating PATA Youth Forums and University Chapters. The existing Young Tourism Professionals (YTP) initiative will be enhanced and coordinated by Parita. Education and training in the tourism sector will be key priorities.
“These new appointments and reassignments are indicative of a resurgent PATA that is walking the talk in areas where members and industry partners have identified great potential,” said PATA CEO, Martin Craigs.
As Manager-Communications, Halona will be responsible for conducting an inventory of existing communications and developing a strategic approach to ongoing and future communications activities, consulting with members, and implementing updated outreach to members and media. Video and social will become more prominent. Halona joins PATA after extensive communications work in the Canadian private and public sectors including Health Canada and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
From June, Chi Lo will be stationed in PATA head office. She will be responsible for fulfilling projects with sustainable partners such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and GIZ, the development arm of the German government, among others.
In other moves, Sutarat Chalothorn of the PATA Events team will play a key role in enhancing PATA HQ-Chapter relations and projects.
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. PATA’s ‘Next Generation’ mPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s headquarters is in Bangkok.
Media Contact:
Halona Padiachy
PATA Communications,
Bangkok, Thailand.
Tel: +66 2 658 2000
E-mail: communications@PATA.org
Online newsroom: www.PATA.org/Press