News@PATA -- April 11, 2007

PATA aims to debunk persistent myths about the extent of air travel's impact on global warming in the Association's latest public statement about climate change.
     "Airplanes generate emissions but they are not carbon-spewing monsters," says PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong in the article that will appear in FORTUNE magazine, April 30. "If all air travel was banned, there would only be a 2% reduction in emissions and the impact on global economies would be catastrophic."
     A simple but very effective way to reduce emissions is to allow airlines to fly between destinations in as straight a line as possible. For this to happen, governments need to start co-operating on new airspace agreements and "open skies" policies, something that PATA is advocating to its public-sector members across the region.
     "While there's a lot more we can do, it's encouraging to see how many industry players are rapidly embracing the need for change," says Mr de Jong.
     Download the advertorial. (PDF 118 KB) www.PATA.org/sustainability.

High-Level Panellists to Join PATA in YVR
Six high-level panellists for PATA's seminar, "Asia Pacific & North America -- The Way Forward", have been confirmed.
     Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn and Tourism Malaysia Director General Dato' Mirza Mohammad Taiyab will join PATA Director -- Strategic Intelligence Centre Mr John Koldowski in the session launching Asia Pacific Tourism Forecasts 2007-2009 to discuss anticipated growth from highlighted source markets. Visa International Asia Pacific Executive VP, South and Southeast Asia, Mr James Murray will contribute insights from the latest Travel Intentions Survey co-produced by Visa and PATA.
     After Discover America Partnership (DAP) Executive Director Mr Geoff Freeman discusses DAP’s plan to resurrect 'Brand USA' and Canadian Tourism Commission President & CEO Ms Michele McKenzie talks about the implications on North American destinations, joining them on a panel to discuss travel between North America and Asia Pacific will be Melewar Leisure Managing Director Tunku Iskander; United Airlines Vice President -- Pacific Mr Mark F Schwab; and Tauck World Discovery Managing Director -- International Mr Scott Supernaw.
     PATA members are encouraged to attend the seminar at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver, Canada, April 22. Non-members may register for the half-day seminar for US$50 per person, including lunch.
     Seminar information and registration -- patabkk@PATA.org.

Chapter Awards go to Finland, Singapore
PATA Finland Chapter is celebrating its 20th anniversary in style by winning the 2007 Spirit of PATA Award, which recognises contributions to PATA’s mission over an extended period. "We felt it was time for us to apply for the Spirit of PATA Award as we think we have shown dedication to the PATA objectives over 20 years and plan to continue to do so in the future," said PATA Finland Chapter Chair Ms Hanna-Leena Halsas.
     Every year the PATA Finland Chapter organises familiarisation trips to Asia Pacific destinations, a PATA Travel Mart delegation, an Association presence at MATKA Trade Fair and networking events that assist PATA members’ sales and marketing efforts in Finland. The Chapter also awards scholarships to members who wish to learn more about Asia Pacific destinations and supports a school in Papua New Guinea.
     For outstanding recent contributions to the Association’s mission, PATA Singapore Chapter has laid claim to the 2007 PATA Award of Excellence. The Chapter’s series of educational seminars and networking events, awareness-building youth and student outreach programmes in 2006, and its proactive approach to tsunami relief and recovery during 2005 were highly regarded both locally and throughout Asia Pacific.
     PATA will bestow its annual chapter awards during the lunch preceding the Association’s 56th Annual General Meeting, April 22.

PATA Bids Farewell to Jimmy-san
PATA Life Member Mr Tetsuya "Jimmy" Moritani passed away, Friday, April 6. Survived by his wife Toshiko, son Hiroshi, and daughter Yoko, he was 73.
     Chairman & Publisher of the Travel Journal, Mr Moritani served on PATA's Board of Directors for a total of seven years between 1988 and 2001, and was a permanent fixture on PATA's Industry Council from 1988 to 2002. During that time, he also sat on PATA's Education & Training and Conference committees for a total of four years.
     Mr Moritani received the PATA Award of Merit twice, in 1994 and 1998. Since receiving PATA Life Membership in 1999, Mr Moritani served the PATA Honours Committee for a total of five years, including in 2007.
     "Jimmy was a great friend to many of us in PATA and a great contributor to the PATA mission," said PATA 2006-2007 Chairman Mr Richard Beere. "Jimmy will be greatly missed by the industry he loved so dearly, and our thoughts and condolences go to his close family and friends."
     A special memorial for Mr Moritani will be held jointly by companies in the Travel Journal Group on a date and location yet to be announced.
     patabkk@PATA.org.

Outstanding contributors to the responsible development and successful promotion of travel and tourism in Asia Pacific have less than three weeks remaining to submit entries to the 2007 PATA Gold Awards programme. Open to both PATA members and non-members, the deadline for entries is April 30.
PATA will present up to 24 PATA Gold Awards and four elite PATA Grand Awards at a special lunch during PATA Travel Mart 2007 in Bali, Indonesia. Winners of Asia Pacific's most independent travel trade awards enjoy a range of publicity benefits, from additional exposure at PATA Travel Mart to invaluable trade media coverage.

Sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) for 12 years, the PATA Gold Awards set industry standards for excellence and innovation. PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong said: “We are delighted that the MGTO remains committed to helping PATA identify and acknowledge excellence in our industry.”
Web site: www.PATA.org/goldawards. E-mail: goldawards@PATA.org.

What's New Extra
News highlights about PATA members. For more, visit What's New Extra.

Boeing Dreamliner the Fastest Seller Ever
A JAL order for five Boeing 787-8 airplanes brings to 514 the number sold since launch three years ago -- the fastest-selling commercial airplane in history.

Fiji's Latest DVD for Agents Only
Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau (FIVB) hopes to increase agents' knowledge of Fiji along with sales data for the islands with a new "Fiji Me" DVD.

Aqua Offers 'Spring into Spa' Special
Aqua Hotels & Resorts is celebrating spring with a "Spring into Spa" package at nine of its Waikiki hotels, effective immediately until June 30.

Cool Rail Journey from Beijing to Tibet
Tour East Holidays will use China (PRC)'s new ultra-modern US$4.2 billion Qinghai-Tibet Railway to get its guests to Tibet's capital of Lhasa from Beijing.

www.PATA.org/whatsnewextra.

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New Members Weekly
New PATA members that have signed up over the past week:-

Adventure Indonesia -- Jakarta, Indonesia
Indonesia's leading tour operator operating wildlife, culture and adventure tours to Irian Jaya, Toraja, Borneo and Komodo. Offices in Jakarta and Bali.

Happy Trails Travel -- Bali, Indonesia
Happy Trails is a Dutch/Indonesian-run inbound tour operator. Services well-known European tour operators and operates its own tours. Web site.

SBA Seoul Business Agency -- Seoul, Korea (ROK)
SBA's mission is to promote Seoul as the world's most attractive destination and build the tourism sector into a key driver of economic growth. Web site.

Vogt's World Travel -- Finksburg, USA
Focusing on Asia travel products and cruises. Web site.

www.PATA.org/members. www.PATA.org/join.

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PATA Connects You

Hot links to PATA members:

PATA Special Offers -- Special deals from and for PATA members

PATA Careers Directory -- PATA members' careers information

PATA Member Directory -- There's a PATA member near you

PATA Member Air Timetable -- Travel with PATA member airlines

www.PATA.org.

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