Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders: PATA HKMU Student Chapter Inaugurates Its 2nd Executive Committee

Hong Kong SAR - 8 October, 2026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) Student Chapter successfully held its 2nd Inauguration Ceremony on 8 October 2026, to announce its 2026/27 Executive Committee. The ceremony also coincided with the 75th Anniversary of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), adding special significance to the occasion. 

The PATA HKMU Student Chapter’s 2026/27 Executive Committee, led by External President Grace Yeung, Internal President Jophy Tam, and Secretary-Treasurers Ron Law and Charlotte Lau. Supported by student members across three dedicated teams—Marketing & Communications, Community Engagement, and Events Management—each led by a Director and Assistant Director, the committee unveiled its core vision under the tagline “Sustainable Tourism, Meaningful Impacts.” Their mission focuses on academic excellence, global impact, and sustainable innovation, aiming to give students hands-on experience in the latest global tourism and hospitality trends.

Under the theme “Sustainability, Culture & the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders,” the event brought together industry leaders, academics, and students to witness the new Executive Committee take office and to discuss the future of tourism and hospitality. The ceremony featured inspiring keynote presentations from global hospitality leaders:

Ms. Mei Mei Song, Chief Transformation Officer of Plaza Premium Group, shared valuable lessons on evolving a business legacy through people, purpose, and innovation. Addressing the incoming student board, she emphasized that "diversity is not a challenge to manage. It is a competitive advantage." She also concluded with the message that “There is no endgame. There is only continuous evolution,” and that true business sustainability is achieved only through continuous transformation.

Mr. Andrew Jones, Guardian of Sanctuary Resorts, our honoured advisor and PATA Lifetime Member, delivered a keynote on sustainability, cultural preservation, and youth leadership, encouraging students to act as responsible stewards of tourism resources. He emphasised that experience and networks matter—through learning by doing, professional connections and building one’s professional story, students can strengthen their competitiveness beyond a degree.

Prof. Matthew Lee, Associate Dean of the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration (B&A) at HKMU,  gave the opening remarks. He welcomed guests and highlighted the chapter’s key accomplishments over the past year. At the end of his remarks, he encouraged the incoming committee to build on this momentum, look forward to more meaningful activities, stronger partnerships, and new ideas from students in the year ahead, and wished them a successful and rewarding term.

“Over the past year, it has been very encouraging to see the enthusiasm and energy of our students through the different events and activities organized... I was also very pleased to see the chapter receive the Best Newcomer Award. This recognition is a wonderful achievement... And reflects the hard work of the committee and active support of everyone involved."

A congratulatory message was also delivered by Mr. Noor Ahmad Hamid, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PATA Headquarters, reinforcing PATA's global support for the student chapter.

About PATA HKMU Student Chapter
The PATA HKMU Student Chapter is student-led, with a vision centred on academic excellence, cultural heritage and global impact. This year, building on its Best Newcomer 2026 momentum, the Chapter will focus on organising different activities to strengthen partnerships with industry stakeholders and offer students more learning opportunities beyond the classroom and advance sustainable tourism development. 

For more information or to collaborate, please contact patahkmu@gmail.com or follow the Chapter’s LinkedIn and Instagram pages.

LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/patahkmu-chapter

Instagram:
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