Investing in the sustainable and equitable growth of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific through human capital development.
The PATA Foundation is empowering Asia Pacific's most vulnerable youth through education and skills training for a thriving and sustainable career in tourism and hospitality.
About
Impact
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About
Experience and expertise to deliver.
Since 1984, the PATA Foundation, a registered charity in the United States with 501(c)(3) status, has donated over USD1.3 million in 38 destinations.
Vision
A sustainable and prosperous Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry that actively contributes to the economic and social advancement of all people.
Mission
To advance travel and tourism development throughout the Asia Pacific region in support of vulnerable and underprivileged communities by:
Supporting education, skills development and capacity building projects;
Supporting economic, social and environmental initiatives which help foster the sustainable and equitable growth of the travel and tourism industry.
Impact
132 community projects, 40+ communities, 144 scholarships.
We're working to ensure that young people have the employability skills needed to build sustainable and thriving careers in tourism and hospitality. There are 700 million youth in the region, but 50% are unemployed. Poverty and lack of education act as barriers for taking advantage of economic opportunities. Even when youth are able to gain the technical skills needed for employment, their success is greatly limited if they don't also possess the life skills needed to live independently and navigate new careers.
Education
Until 2019, our work in education focused on improving the professionalism of travel industry personnel and of others working in related fields. The education of visitors, host communities and travel industry staff in respect to the environment and cultural heritage is also included.
Our Education Fund provided grants to Technical and Vocational Educational Training partners throughout the region - including our partner for our signature project pilot, Sala Bai in Siem Riep.
The fund also provided educational scholarships, enabling vulnerable youth to access training and education.
Cultural Heritage
Our work in Cultural Heritage has focused on the conservation of sites which are destinations which support the local tourism industry, including historical buildings, cultural attractions, historical towns and villages.
Through our Cultural and Heritage Conservation Fund we have also worked with communities to invest in cultural heritage activities which support the growth of local tourism and provide employment opportunities within communities.
Sustainable Tourism
We have actively supported efforts within local travel and tourism industries focussed on making as low an impact on the environment and local culture as possible, while helping to generate future employment for local people.
Through our Sustainable Tourism grants, we have invested in community efforts to manage tourist sites for sustainable growth and supported education and training on environmental sustainability.
PATA Foundation Project: CBT Vietnam
The PATA Foundation supported a long-running community-based tourism (CBT) initiative in the Sapa region of Northern Vietnam, delivered in partnership with Capilano University in Canada and Hanoi Open University in Vietnam.
Through hands-on training in tourism, entrepreneurship, homestay development, and environmental stewardship, the project empowered ethnic minority communities—including the Hmong, Red Dao, and Giay—to sustainably manage tourism and retain its economic benefits. Families participating in the programme saw significant income growth, while cultural preservation and responsible tourism practices strengthened community resilience. This collaborative effort remains a powerful example of how education and capacity building can transform local livelihoods.
Engage
Opportunities for Engagement
The PATA Foundation is committed to advancing travel and tourism development throughout the Asia Pacific region in support of vulnerable and underprivileged communities through vocational education, skills development and capacity building projects. Your engagement with the PATA Foundation is an investment in the future of Asia Pacific..
Support a Project Through Your PATA Chapter
We are always looking to connect with PATA membership. Contact us to learn more about how your Chapter can engage in fundraising and supporting a PATA project partner of your choosing. We can support you in developing an event or engagement opportunity that works for your group.
Become a Corporate Partner
Our corporate partners create impact through investing in projects on the ground in the countries most relevant to their businesses. We aim to develop partnerships based on mutuality and shared goals which advance the employability of youth along with the CSR goals of corporates.
Donate
You can make a donation today and help a student gain the employability skills they need to succeed in gaining employment and thriving in their new career!
Invest in Youth.
For just $112 per learner, our Micro Learning Macro Impact programme is helping young people to develop the employability skills they need to succeed!
Are you not looking to donate online? Contact us to discuss alternative giving methods and how you can help a young person in our region create a fulfilling and prosperous life for themselves and their communities.
For those struggling to lift themselves out of poverty, tourism and hospitality still offer a realistic path.
Get engaged today and help make an impact for vulnerable youth. You can make an investment in the future of a student. You can engage with a financial investment, in-kind services or skills, or collaborate with us through a corporate partnership.
Connect with us to find out how we can create thriving livelihoods in a growing industry.
Infographic | Foundation Bylaws | Financials