PATA has set up a Rapid Recovery Task Force to devise post-crisis recovery strategies in the face of natural, economic or political upheaval that its member countries may face.
At the PATA 60th Anniversary and Conference in Beijing last month, Bill Calderwood, CEO, PATA, expressed concern over recent natural disasters and catastrophes and the challenges they pose for tourism, not only in terms of immediate impact, but also with the ongoing and residual damage. The aftermath makes it harder to restore confidence that the affected destinations are safe and desirable places to visit.
“Such misperceptions are difficult to dispel and a barrier to the recovery of the tourism economy,” said Calderwood. “We have been asking ourselves what PATA can do to assist our members to speed up the recovery and minimise the impact of any negative perception.”
Bert van Walbeek, a veteran of many crisis management programmes and chairman of PATA Thailand Chapter, will chair the Task Force. Other members include Mario Hardy, David Beirman, Rick Vogel, Ken Scott and Kris Lim.
