Weekly Chapter Update: 'Big' PATA and 'Small' PATA

Author: Ben Montgomery
Posted: Thu 2 Feb, 2012 2:24 PM

The Difference Between ‘Big’ PATA and ‘Small’ PATA

Since there are quite a few new faces in PATA family and I personally have been asked the differences of PATA International and Chapter memberships, therefore let’s make this week message a re-visit the relationship between PATA International membership and PATA Chapter membership.

There are two levels of PATA membership; PATA International Membership (known as Big PATA) and PATA Chapter Membership (known as Small PATA).

PATA International membership does not imply membership in a Chapter, nor does Chapter membership imply PATA International membership.

PATA International membership

PATA membership entitles an organisation to many benefits of belonging to a global association of tourism peers. There are various PATA membership categories such as:

1. Government/Destination

2. Carrier – airlines, airports, cruise lines

3. Industry - companies/associations that focus on Tourism

4. Hospitality – hotels and hotel chains

5. Associate - company/association in associate industries and media

6. Education – Universities/colleges/tourism institute

The following are samples of other current outstanding benefits for PATA international members:

Advocacy: Hard-hitting advocacy programs to lobby governments and provide a business and regulatory environment that is conducive to growth and protects the industry’s interests. The PATA Rapid Recovery Taskforce also acts in Crisis situations to mitigate the damage of natural disasters, political upheaval or other incidents.

Networking opportunities: Being a member of PATA would provide you access to key industry people and organisations where you could develop new and mutually beneficial relationships, certainly a great channel for assisting you to grow your business through extensive networking on an international level.

Market Intelligence: Free real time data via TIGA (Travel Intelligence Graphic Architecture). Plus PATA keeps you abreast of the latest industry news and industry reports and publications, including Asia Pacific Tourism Forecasts, Total Tourism Reports, PATA Compass Magazine and our weekly updates via our News@PATA (over 25,000 subscribers and growing daily).

Brand association with PATA including logo usage, member directory of the website www.PATA.org. Be introduced as a PATA New Member in PATA Compass Magazine, 'Part of the Family' section. Compass is distributed to 25,000 travel industry key-players around the globe.

Opportunities to serve on PATA Board/Committees and attend Annual General Meetings as well as being part of PATA Task Force Teams.

Discounts to attend PATA Events: For example, members savings of US$1,100 per booth + delegate discount at PATA Travel Mart (PTM) and much more.

PATA international membership fees are based on the membership category. Industry, Hospitality and Associate membership fees are just US$1,000 per annum.

PATA Chapters

Our PATA Chapter networks contribute by taking an active role in supporting PATA's mission locally. The Chapter members act as PATA ‘brand ambassadors’ locally. Currently there are 41 PATA Chapters with over 7,500 members around the globe who would very much like to work together under the PATA Brand. Chapters are formed on a volunteer basis by the industry leaders from each country/area. It is up to each Chapter to set their own goals, objectives, membership categories, membership fees, events and activities and manage their own secretariat and administrative jobs. Please check out here.

The Chairmanship of a PATA Chapter is reserved to PATA international member as well as one of these two positions: Vice Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer. Basically, the PATA Chapters are run by PATA international members (Big PATA) in their area with support by their local members. Normal practice for PATA and Chapter events is that Big PATA always grants special rates for Chapter members at the Big PATA events and at the same time the Chapters always grant special rates for Big PATA members.

As part of PATA’s Next Gen initiatives, Big PATA is formulating exciting new ways of working closer with our chapter members in 2012. Stay tuned for more news.

Till next week, take care.