What is the full form of PATA

PATA: Pacific-Asia Travel Association

PATA stands for Pacific-Asia Travel Association. It is a not-for-profit association founded in 1951, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a recognized authority on Pacific Asia travel and tourism that is acclaimed for its efforts for the development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific Region.

PATA Mission:

• To act as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry
• To improve the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region

It provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, innovative events and educational opportunities to its member organizations such as government tourist offices, airlines, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators and related companies. Thousands of travel professionals are associated with the 36 local PATA chapters worldwide. These chapters are responsible for organizing travel industry training and business development events.

Since its inception, it has led from the front as the leading voice and authority on travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. Its contribution to the travel and tourism industry of the Asia Pacific region can be understood from the following points:

• It has enhanced the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region in partnership with public and private sector members
• It provides leadership and guidance on an individual and collective basis to its members that include government, state and city tourism bodies, international airlines and airports, hospitality organizations, educational institutional and more.
• Its Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) provides authentic data and insights including analyses and forecasts, reports on strategic tourism markets and Asia Pacific inbound statistics.
• Its events create new businesses each year for its members.
• The travel professionals that belong to 36 active PATA chapters worldwide, participate in a wide range of PATA and industry events.
• The PATA Foundation also contributes to the protection of the environment, conservation of heritage and supports the education for the sustainable and responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific.

PATA Priorities:

• To create business for member associations
• To provide valuable insights, analyses and forecasts to help members make better business decisions
• To come forward to address or resolve issues related to the travel industry

Brief History:

• In January 1952, Pacific Interim Travel Association (PITA) in Honolulu, Hawaii was formally incorporated at the inaugural Pacific Area Travel Conference
• In 1953, PITA was renamed PATA: Pacific Area Travel Association at the second Pacific Area Travel Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii
• In 1961, it established its first PATA Chapters in Hong Kong and New Zealand.
• In 1974, PATA Development Authority was established that created the PATA task force to implement Development Authority policy.
• In 1978, the first-ever PATA Travel Mart was held in Manila.
• In 1986, the Pacific Area Travel Association was renamed Pacific Asia Travel Association.
• In 1998, its headquarters shifted from San Francisco to Bangkok.
• In 2003, it launched Project Phoenix, a global consumer communications campaign to invigorate the travel and tourism industry in Pacific Asia.
• In 2007, it set up an office in Beijing with the support of CNTA. It was the first travel-related international organization officially registered in China.