Mr. Andrew Jones, Chairman of PATA, Will Attend WTCF Asia Pacific Tourism Conference

Between March 25 and 29, 2017, WTCF and its city member, Penang in Malaysia, will jointly hold the WTCF Asia Pacific Tourism Conference. It will be the first large regional conference that WTCF will hold in one of its member cities. The aim of the conference is to discuss the sustainable development of tourism cities in the Asia-Pacific region.

WTCF city and institutional members in the Asia-Pacific region, representatives of the tourism industry, media and other parties will be invited to attend the conference. The theme of the conference is “One Belt One Road: Construction of Tourism City Corridor and City Hub”. Reputable experts and elites of the tourism industry will discuss and exchange ideas on popular and meaningful topics: City and Tourism Economy, Driving Force of Cultural Tourism to the Tourism Industry, Development of MICE Tourism, Development of Cruise Tourism and so on.

Mr. Andrew Jones, Chairman of PATA, is confirmed to attend the conference. Meanwhile, he is also a keynote speaker during the Panel Discussion session of WTCF Asia Pacific Tourism Conference.

VIP of Penang Asia Pacific Tourism Conference:

Mr. Andrew Jones, Chairman of PATA

Over the past 40 years Andrew has worked in a number of senior management and corporate positions in prestigious hotels, resorts and management companies in London, Bermuda, Canada and several countries in Asia.

In 1996 Andrew started a new journey when he founded and became Guardian of Sanctuary Resorts, a company that offers responsible and sustainable tourism experiences where people can balance their body, mind and spirit in an environmentally friendly space.

In addition, Andrew was previously Director, Asia Pacific Affairs for the International Hotel and Restaurant Association and a member of the Board of the Indian Ocean Tourism Organization. Andrew is a Certified Hotel Administrator of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality.

Andrew is a leading proponent of Corporate Social Responsibility and Wellness in Tourism, and a knowledgeable Key Speaker, Moderator and Panelist on matters of Responsible and Sustainable Tourism at many Hotel, Environment and Social Enterprise Forums and Conferences, as well as Universities and Vocational Schools.

Andrew is an active member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), being Vice Chairman 2015-16, a member of the PATA Executive Board, Board of Trustee member of the PATA Foundation, and Advisor for PATA on CSR and Responsible and Sustainable Tourism. Andrew was also previously the Vice Chairman and Chairman of the PATA Hospitality Committee. In addition Andrew is a member of the World Travel Market World Responsible Tourism Day Advisory Panel.

Andrew believes in directly contributing to the community in which he lives, being Chairman Emeritus of the KELY (Kid’s Everywhere Like You) Support Group, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Kowloon, and a supporter of numerous other Charitable organizations and Social Ventures in Hong Kong.

About PATA

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting 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, comprising 95 government, state and city tourism bodies, 29 international airlines, airports and cruise lines, 63 educational institutions, and hundreds of travel industry companies in Asia Pacific and beyond.

Since 1951 PATA has led from the front as the leading voice and authority on travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region

- 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 its member organisations, comprising 95 government, state and city tourism bodies, nearly 29 international airlines, airports and cruise lines, 63 educational institutions, and hundreds of travel industry companies in Asia Pacific and beyond.

- PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) offers unrivalled data and insights including Asia Pacific inbound and outbound statistics, analyses and forecasts as well as in-depth reports on strategic tourism markets

- PATA’s events create millions of dollars of new business each year for its members

- Thousands of travel professionals belong to 43 active PATA chapters worldwide and participate in a wide range of PATA and industry events.

- The PATA Foundation contributes to the sustainable and responsible development of travel and tourism in Asia Pacific through the protection of the environment, the conservation of heritage and support for education.