PATA focused on sustainable tourism

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has vowed to make sustainable tourism a priority in talks at its annual conference.

At the closing of the conference in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month, CEO Martin J Craigs said, “The world must have a sustainable tourism industry and the PATA would take steps to make that a reality.”

He also added, “I am pleased to take the challenge of Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to make the tourism industry grow in tandem, without forgetting the environment elements.”

Whilst addressing over 600 tourism professionals from numerous travel industry sectors, he suggested that “various plans during the conference this year were likely to give a new focus to environmental-friendly tourism in the tourism industry”.

At the 50^th PATA Annual Conference in April 2011, PATA adopted and undertook the promotion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)/PATA Code for Sustainable Tourism.

The PATA’s Charter of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility outlines pledges for “the achievement of environmental and economic sustainability, cultural preservation and social responsibility.”

The PATA was formed over 50 years ago and has a network of 39 chapters worldwide. The global organisation is based in Bangkok and has over 2,500 members comprising of 42 member destinations and their airlines, hotel groups, tour operators and travel agents.

Later this year, the annual Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2012 (ESTC12) will be held in Monterey, California. Hosted by Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as Visit California, the conference will highlight global challenges and local opportunities, support sustainable development of tourism and promote solutions that balance conservation, communities and sustainable travel.

The conference will be held from September 17–19, 2012.

Further reading:

The ethics of tourism