8-point Tourism Recovery Plan for Covid19 by PATA

To support Asia-Pacific’s tourism industry rebounding from the Covid-19 crisis, PATA has announced its 8-Point Industry Recovery Plan to address its members’ immediate and strategic needs and the broader industry. 

This will include workshop-style webinars and vaccine equity initiatives among PATA’s efforts to support industry recovery.

8-point Tourism Recovery Plan for Covid19 by PATA

1. PATA Crisis Resource Center

Launched in May 2020, the crisis resource centre is available to all travel sector members. It provides playbooks for industries ranging from aviation to hospitality, covering several topics, including communications resources and sector resource kits.

2. Government members-only roundtable

Earlier this month, PATA launched a roundtable series to share insights and exchange ideas across destinations on restarting travel. The first session of this series featured presentations by select destinations, including Hawaii, the Maldives, and Thailand. The second session on August 17 featured COVAX/UNICEF with a briefing on vaccine equity, deployment measures and community acceptance strategies.

PATA will continue to support its destination members by sourcing subject matter experts and supporting a pan-regional and global dialogue to support the industry recovery in the coming weeks and months.

3. Innovation Workshop Series and Innovation Hub for members

PATA has just launched an Innovation Series of workshop-style webinars designed to deliver practical information to members. Upcoming topics will range from digital marketing, Covid-19 safety best practices, leadership and resiliency skills, and destination development.

PATA’s website now also features the Travel Innovations Hub, comprising crowd-sourced travel innovation ideas from around the globe, designed to engage and inspire its members.

4. Ongoing industry trends and forecasts for members

With the ever-changing status of multiple elements influencing tourism recovery, PATA recognises the need for frequent and diverse expert-advised trends and forecast reporting. Through live webinars and research reports supported by its vast network of industry experts, PATA will continue to regularly deliver expert-sourced intelligence reporting to keep members informed.

5. Vaccine equity initiative supporting COVAX/UNICEF

Vaccine equity, deployment, and acceptance across the region and beyond are foundational elements of tourism recovery. As such, PATA supports the COVAX/UNICEF initiative in advocacy, industry education, fundraising and, if required, logistics sourcing.

6. PATA global community connection

Like the rest of the world, PATA has pivoted from offline/real-life interactions at physical events to online webinars. The association has started hosting hybrid events and will continue to deliver in-destination physical events wherever possible. It will also complement it by leveraging technology platforms and content to unite its members globally and in smaller forums to support their business development.

7. Knowledge sharing and collaboration with global organisations

PATA regularly collaborates with World Bank, ADB, GIZ and other development organisations and consulting firms on industry-leading topics to support the recovery. The association periodically engages with the global tourism and travel task force meetings and leaders from WTTC, IATA, ACI, WEF, ICAO and others.

8. PATA’s destination resilience initiative

In conjunction with GIZ, the programme initiated development in June, with the PATA project managing an expert team of 20 subject matter experts. This framework addresses the pillars for resilience, including environment, economy, community, visitors and health & safety. The pilot will be launched in four PATA member destinations.

Conclusion

This is just the beginning of our journey to leverage our vast network’s strengths to support each other in this challenging recovery. Pre-pandemic Asia-Pacific was viewed as the engine for growth in the global travel industry.

PATA is working hard to help accelerate this industry recovery and continue to support the broader industry in capturing Asia-Pacific’s opportunities with responsible travel and tourism.