Naslov
Internet: http://www.pata.org/

Autori
Hendija, Zvjezdana

Izvornik
Tourism : an international interdisciplinary journal (1332-7461) 52 (2004), 4; 388-389

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, prikaz, stručni

Ključne riječi
PATA; Pacific Asia Travel Association; influence of tsunami disaster on tourism sector; regional tourism association

Sažetak
When half a century ago the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) was founded to encourage and support tourism development initiatives, at that time, no one expected that the organisation will be faced tourism infrastructure reconstruction. This is precisely what the PATA is dealing with right now in an attempt to save tourism and rebuild the infrastructure and demand quickly in that part of the world. The Pacific Asia Travel Association was founded in 1951 as a non-profit organisation and soon has become the leading regional authority in the field of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. Impressive and unique is the list of its members as almost everyone involved in tourism sector - in production, distribution, financing, consulting, educating etc. in that part of the world is its member. With its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, PATA plays a central role in promoting tourism on behalf of nearly hundred governments, state and city tourism bodies from the Southern eastern Asian and Pacific countries, more than 55 airline and cruise line companies and more than hundreds other travel industry companies. Through PATA's unique partnership with and between its members it continues to enhance the growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within Asia Pacific. There is no doubt that this association played the most significant role in impressive and successful tourism development, both, in Asia and Pacific region. Starting from the low share in international tourism arrivals with only 4 per cent in 1970s, the Asia and Pacific region has realised the highest growth rate in the world. Today, its share is nearly 20 percent in international tourist arrivals. In the last decade, international travel to Asia and Pacific has doubled from 68 million in 1992 to 131 million in 2002. In comparison, over the same period international tourist arrivals in Europe have increased by 30 per cent. The role of PATA is more important now than ever, with the large part of the region facing consequences of tsunami disaster from December 26, 2004. The area hit is huge and the number of people that lost their lives is climbing to 170 thousands. Many of those were tourists, as this is the peak holiday season in the region. Although the tsunami disaster has, inevitably, raised questions regarding the future of tourism in this part of the world, the situation might not be as bleak as initially thought. For, firstly, as tsunami affected an area of about a 1.5 km from the shore, many inland destinations in the five countries worst hit are intact. Secondly, there are many resorts escaping tsunami devastation. Even in the Indonesia, the worst hit country, their most popular tourist destinations like Bali, Java and Lombok are unaffected. Similarly, in Thailand, although Phuket and Phi Phi are completely destroyed, others are left intact (Pataya, Bangkok and Changmai). On famous "heaven on Earth" island Maldives sixty four of eighty five tourist resorts are still operating. Even through many destinations of the Asia Pacific region are full functioning, the challenge is to influence the long-haul travels to the region convincing them that there are safe and secure destinations. There, the PATA has the crucial role with the help of global community and the support of the World Tourism Organisation. PATA has already undertaken several actions to rebuilt tourism sector. PATA urges the international donors community to help reconstruct the tourism infrastructure in the affected areas. It has already founded a Tsunami Recovery Fund to help rebuild tourism in affected areas. Furthermore, it has started a promotion campaign inviting tourists to visit this area under the slogan "Tourists if you want to help us, book your trip now". On their web site they have published a strategic plan for restoring tourism destinations in crisis. Furthermore, they are going to organise special international meeting about tourism recovery in this region from 31 January to 1 February in 2005 on the island Phuket supported by the World Tourism Organisation. Once again PATA will take the leading role in tourism development in Asian Pacific region and tourism is expected to recover in the short term.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Ekonomija

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