One of the leading travel and tourism leaders of today, David Scowsill, president and CEO, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), has congratulated PATA on reaching its 60th anniversary.
 
Said Scowsill: "In the 60-years since it was founded in Hawaii, PATA has helped to put the region on the global tourism map – not just as a destination but also as a rapidly growing source of tourism business for destinations around the world."

With membership representing all sectors of the industry – from large corporations to SMEs in transport, hospitality and the travel trade, together with governments – he said that PATA has become a benchmark of success for public-private sector partnerships.

"That success has helped establish PATA among leading authorities in travel and tourism, and given the industry it represents a greater influence on the world stage," added Scowsill. Representing two of the world's BRIC nations and more than half of the ‘Next-Eleven', he said the Asia Pacific region is expected to take the lead in contributing to travel and tourism growth in the years ahead.

"As the global travel and tourism economy looks forward to a growth of 4.3% per year over the coming decade, I look forward to continued close collaboration between our two organisations in the future."

Scowsill will be joined by industry leaders from the Asia Pacific region and beyond at PATA's 60th Anniversary and Conference, April 9-12, 2011, at the China World Hotel, Beijing, where he will make an address on behalf of the WTTC.

Taking the theme ‘Building Tourism: Past. Present. Progressive', the conference is the focal point of PATA's year-long campaign of 60th anniversary events and activities.

Starting life as a small group of enthusiastic travel professionals back in 1951, PATA has grown into a powerful and dynamic membership association, driving responsible tourism growth across the Asia Pacific region.

Over the course of 60-years, it has led the development of the Asia Pacific region from a little-known, untouched part of the globe, into what is today the fastest growing, most exciting tourism destination in the world. By 2020, PATA expects international arrivals to soar to 530-million.

The PATA 60th Anniversary and Conference will be a pivotal event for the Asia Pacific travel and tourism sector and a must-attend for anyone interested in the ongoing development of this dynamic region.

For more information on PATA's 60th anniversary, or to register for the 60th Anniversary and Conference, visit: www.pata60.org