SINGAPORE: The world is already 20 months into the COVID-19 pandemic. With the subsiding of the second wave and also diminishing chances of the third wave, the travel sector is getting into a long-awaited, slow-starting recovery phase. The travel industry is in need of urgent and strategic recovery plans. With this in mind, PATA CEO, Liz Ortiguera recently shared her thoughts with the PATA network of valued International Members. Her top priorities, PATA’s 8-Point Industry Recovery Plan to support both immediate and strategic needs are as follows:
- PATA Crisis Resource Center
Launched in May 2020, this resource center is available to all travel sector members and provides recovery playbooks for all travel industries (aviation to hospitality) with toolkits covering communications, marketing, health, policy, and case studies.
- Government Members’ Only Roundtable
Earlier this month, PATA launched a roundtable series to share insights and exchange ideas across destinations on restarting travel. The first session of this series featured presentations by select destinations, including Hawaii, Maldives, and Thailand. The second session was held on 17 August and featured COVAX/UNICEF with a briefing on vaccine equity, deployment measures, and community acceptance strategies. In the coming weeks and months, PATA will continue to support our destination members by sourcing subject matter experts and supporting a pan-regional and global dialogue to support the industry recovery.
- Innovation Workshop Series and Innovation Hub for Members
PATA has launched an Innovation Series of workshop-style webinars designed to deliver practical information to members. Upcoming topics will range from digital marketing, COVID-19 Safe best practices, leadership and resiliency skills, destination development, etc.
Their website also invites members to check out the new Travel Innovations Hub – crowd-sourced travel innovation ideas from around the globe. This site is meant to engage and inspire members, and invites interesting innovations launched by industry operators, or experienced or simply read about by them.
- Ongoing Industry Trends and Forecasts for Members
With the ever-changing status of multiple elements influencing travel recovery, PATA recognises the need for frequent and diverse expert-advised trends and forecast reporting. Through live webinars and research reports supported by PATA’s vast network of industry experts, PATA intends to regularly deliver expert-sourced intelligence reporting to keep you informed.
- Vaccine Equity Initiative supporting COVAX/UNICEF
A foundational element to our recovery is vaccine equity, deployment, and acceptance across the region and beyond. PATA is proud to provide its support to the COVAX/UNICEF initiative in the form of advocacy, industry education, fundraising and, if required, logistics sourcing. PATA International Members, Chapter Members, and Youth Members attended a Webinar, “The Race to End the Pandemic: Ensuring Global Vaccine Equity” on Wed, 26 August to understand the importance of vaccine equity and what UNICEF/COVAX is doing to drive global vaccination.
- PATA Global Community Connections
Like the rest of the world, PATA was forced to make a big pivot from offline/real-life interactions at physical events to online webinars. They’ve started hosting hybrid events and will continue to a) deliver engaging in-destination physical events wherever possible and b) complement it by leveraging new, engaging technology platforms and content to bring the members together globally and in smaller forums to support your business development. The strength and depth of the connections built is a core element to the PATA heritage and value proposition and we will find ways to transcend boundaries to continue that.
- Knowledge Share / Collaboration with Global Organisations
PATA is in regular collaboration with World Bank, ADB, GIZ, and other development organisations/consulting firms on industry-leading topics to support the recovery. They regularly engage with the Global Tourism and Travel Task Force meetings along with leaders from WTTC, IATA, ACI, WEF, ICAO, and others. PATA is looking forward to engaging more industry colleagues in supporting the COVAX/UNICEF Vaccine Equity initiative as a foundation to the industry recovery.
- Tourism Destination Resilience
In April PATA launched a project to respond to the need for a more resilient tourism industry that addresses not only the current COVID-19 pandemic but the next crisis that will surely follow. PATA is managing a team of 20 subject matter experts to provide a framework that will be launched in four PATA member destinations, with online resources available across the industry. The project addresses pillars of resilience including Environment, Economy, Community, Visitors, and Health & Safety. The project is implemented by PATA with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
About PATA
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is the largest travel promotional organisation in the world. It promotes travel and tourism to and within the Pacific region. It was incorporated to develop, promote, and facilitate travel to areas within the Pacific RIM in 1951 as a non-profit, voluntary, and non-political corporation.
The PATA India Chapter was established in 1974 with a handful of members. It has grown to include 245 members and is one of the most dynamic Chapters in the Asia Pacific region today. With major support from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India which is the main and largest PATA India member organisation, the Chapter includes State Tourism Boards, Carriers, Hotels, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Service Providers, and other travel-related companies.
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