PATA and JATA sign Memorandum of Understanding

BANGKOK, Thailand – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) have agreed to work together to benefit both sets of members.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in April, will focus efforts on implementing joint activities related to tourism. The MoU shows the membership commitment by both associations to enhance the role of the tourism sector and to develop the tourism industry in Asia and the Pacific.

The MoU was signed by Martin J Craigs, PATA Chief Executive Officer, and Jungo Kikuma, Chairman of JATA. The agreement commits the two organisations to continue their productive on-going cooperation through PATA’s participation in the annual JATA Tourism EXPO Japan and JATA’s participation in PATA’s programme of work.

JATA Tourism EXPO Japan is internationally recognized as the one of the largest travel events in the world, presenting Japan as a tourism destination to a global audience. This year PATA will support a panel session at the EXPO on September 26 with the theme, “The Rapidly Growing Asian Market and Its Significance for the Tourism Industry.” The panel will be moderated by PATA Regional Director – East Asia, Ivy Chee, with a presentation also being made by PATA CEO, Martin Craigs. The discussion will explore the rapidly expanding Asian travel market and reaffirm sustainable growth.

Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO, said: “Japan is a giant of tourism, long valued for its high quality outbound sector. In recent years we have seen the rise of destination Japan as an inbound entity too. This is a desirable and sustainable trend that PATA is keen to support.”

Jungo Kikuma, Chairman of JATA, added: “After the next 10 years, Asia will become the new centre of gravity of tourism in the world. Taking this time’s partnership opportunity and joining hands with PATA, we would like to make every effort for tourism vitalization as a driving force in the world tourism market.”

PATA has been active in Japan since establishing the PATA Japan Chapter in 1962. More than 88 travel industry members today belong to the PATA Japan Chapter, which organizes a variety of special workshops and seminars, and inbound/outbound projects focusing on the Japanese market. Earlier this year, the chapter organized the PATA Japan Roundtable Discussion in Tokyo, which was moderated by Ms Chee. The meeting was well attended by both public and private sectors with the aim of generating effective dialogue on issues and opportunities facing Japan’s visitor economy.

JATA Tourism EXPO Japan 2014 will be held at Tokyo Big Sight, September 25-28. The event provides abundant opportunities for travel professionals to exchange travel information and conduct effective business meetings, while inspiring consumers with the power of travel. It is an all-encompassing event showcasing the many facets of travel and the varied lifestyle trends that spring from it.