Chairman Antunes Advances the PATA ‘Next Gen’ Agenda in India

2012-08-30 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mr. João Manuel Costa Antunes, in his capacity as PATA Chairman, held dialogue with India’s tourism industry leaders in New Delhi, August 28. It was the Chairman’s first official PATA visit since becoming chairman in April. Chairman Antunes, also the Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), visited the Cabinet Minister of Tourism of India, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, and the Secretary of Ministry of Tourism, Sh. Rajen Habib Khwaja, to express gratitude for the strong support rendered by the Ministry of Tourism, and to explore opportunities for closer cooperation in line with “PATA Next Gen” principles.

Antunes also took the opportunity to meet with the Chinese Ambassador to India, H.E. Zhang Yan, and the Director General of Civil Aviation of India, Mr. Arun Mishra to promote the aligned advocacy of the Association.

The Executive Committee of PATA India Chapter organized a welcome banquet in honor of the Chairman at the Le Méridien, New Delhi. Secretary of Tourism of India Sh. Rajen Habib Khwaja, who is also the Chairman of the India Chapter, together with the Vice Chairman Mr. Vikram Madhok, welcomed Antunes to India at the dinner.

In the Chairman’s speech, Antunes recognised the vital role of the India Chapter, which was formed in 1974, as one of PATA’s oldest and largest chapters. “Now with more than 200 members from all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, it has successfully established itself as a leader, advocate and a catalyst for the responsible development of the Indian travel and tourism industry,” said Antunes.

Riding on the strong foundation the Chapter has created, the PATA Chairman said that it should be a priority in India and throughout PATA to cultivate new blood to sustain the industry and embrace Next Gen initiatives.

Former Chairmen of the Association, Mr. Inder Sharma, Mr. Madan P. Bezbaruah and Mr. Ram Kohli, also attended the event.

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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 within the Asia Pacific region. This year, PATA is proud to celebrate 60 dynamic years of developing responsible tourism.

In partnership with private and public sector members, PATA enhances the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within, the region.

The Association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to over 80 government, state and city tourism bodies; nearly 50 international airlines, airports and cruise lines and many hundreds of travel industry companies across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Thousands of travel professionals belong to 40 active PATA chapters worldwide and participate in a wide range of PATA and industry events. PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) offers unrivalled aggregated data and insights. This included Asia Pacific inbound and outbound statistics, analyses and forecasts and in-depth reports on strategic analysis. For more information, please visit www.PATA.org and www.PATAchina.org

L/R Minister of Tourism of India, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, PATA Chairman Mr João Manuel Costa Antunes and PATA India Chapter Honorary Secretary Mr Sanjeet

L/R Minister of Tourism of India, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, PATA Chairman Mr João Manuel Costa Antunes and PATA India Chapter Honorary Secretary Mr Sanjeet