Source: PATA

PATA and Skal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share knowledge through research and publications, to reciprocate in event participation, to support mutual agreed advocacy positions, and to enhance access for the benefit of members of both organisations.

The MOU was signed by PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy and Skal International CEO Daniela Otero during the recent 47th Skal Asia Congress in Macao, China.

L/R: Mr. João Manuel Costa Antunes, President Skal International Macau; Mr. Robert Sohn, President Skal International Asian Area; Skal International CEO Ms. Daniela Otero; PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy; and Skal International President Ms. Susanna Saari. Click to enlarge.
Dr. Hardy said, "PATA and Skal are very similar in many regards. Like PATA, Skal has a long-storied history having been founded in 1934 and through the years its members have fostered a great spirit of friendship and camaraderie. They are also committed to the development of young tourism professionals and students through Young Skal. This partnership helps align both our missions in developing a responsible tourism industry and look forward to working to with them towards this goal."

Skal International CEO, Daniela Otero, said that "the tourism economy in Asia has increased exponentially in recent years and that the agreement was very important for development of Skal in that area."

About PATA

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its member organisations, which include government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, educational institutions, and thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces grassroots activism of PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, which organise travel industry training programmes and business development events around the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide. Hundreds of students are members of 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts, and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members' desktops and mobile devices around the world. PATA's Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has an office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.