PATA announces new chair and executive board

PATA announces new chair and executive board

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has shown off its new-look executive board, with Soon-Hwa Wong formally endorsed chair.

Wong replaces Dr Chris Bottrill, who was elected chair of PATA in May 2018 and remains a member of its executive board as immediate past chair.

Wong has some 40 years of industry experience in the Asia-Pacific region, having previously worked in senior roles at Hertz and Air New Zealand, as well as founding consultancy Asia Tourism and setting up tourism- and trade-focused company AsiaChina.

His long association with PATA dates back to 1996, and he has served in various capacities over the years.

Presently serving as chairman of the PATA Singapore chapter, Wong is also the recipient of the PATA Life Member Award in 2018 and PATA Award of Merit in 2008.

“It is indeed an honour to be given the privilege to serve PATA members, especially in a time like this,” he said.

“PATA will celebrate a significant milestone, our 70th anniversary, next year. We are embarking on a comprehensive organisation redesign that will transform PATA into an association that will lead the tourism industry into the post-COVID future and beyond.

“Together with our industry partners from both the public and private sector, we will commit to sustainable tourism development to benefit the economic wellbeing of the community at large.”

During PATA’s board meeting held virtually on Monday 12 October, the association also elected six new members to its executive board.

They are Hai Ho (Triip Pte Ltd), Suman Pandey (Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure), Andrew Jones (Sanctuary Resorts), Dr Fanny Vong (Macao Institute for Tourism Studies), Oliver Martin (Twenty31 Consulting Inc), and Peter Semone (Destination Human Capital Limited).

Ho and Pandey were elected as PATA’s new vice chairman and secretary/treasurer, respectively.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]