ADVT. PATWA ITB
MESSAGE FROM TALEB RIFAI Secretary General, World Tourism Organisation On behalf of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Specialized Agency for tourism, I am delighted to greet all the participants of the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association s international seminar on Global Warming: Impact on Tourism, held on the occasion of the 2015 World Travel Market. Despite rising challenges, the tourism sector continues to consolidate the positive growth it has registered over the last five years and to provide significant development and economic opportunities worldwide. However as tourism continues to expand, so does the call for greater responsibility in our sector. The ability to respond to climate change, one of the greatest challenges facing contemporary society, is an issue of immense importance for the tourism sector. The 70th UN General Assembly in September this year resulted in the approval of the Sustainable Development Goals - established to address the increasingly imperative issues of poverty reduction, inclusive growth, climate change and effective resource management. The universal 17-goal plan of action incorporates tourism into three separate goals outlining its capacity to advance sustainable consumption and production patterns, conserve and responsibly use the marine, fishery and aquaculture resources and foster the capacity of tourism to promote jobs and local cultures. Indeed, when properly managed, tourism has the potential to be a force for preservation. We must work together towards increasing resilience towards climate change while aiming to reduce the sector s energy footprint, particularly in Asia and the Pacific one of the fastest growing tourism regions in the world. In this respect, I wholeheartedly commend PATWA, a valued UNWTO Affiliate Member, for supporting the fundamental goals of sustainable tourism through such proactive initiatives like this Seminar. I wish you a successful and fruitful event. Taleb Rifai
MESSAGE FROM MARIO HARDY Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Asia Travel Associatoin On behalf of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), I would like to personally wish the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) a successful seminar on Global Warming: Impact on Tourism. Founded in 1951, 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 87 government, state and city tourism bodies, 26 international airlines, airports and cruise lines, 59 educational institutions, and hundreds of travel industry companies in Asia Pacific and beyond. PATWA was established during the PATA Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2008 with the aim of promoting professional development of travel writing and travel communication to provide invaluable contribution to the promotion of tourism. Both organisations understand the importance and impact the travel and tourism industry has on countries, communities and people and, with this in mind, the mission and objectives of both Associations are aligned in enhancing the growth, value and quality of travel and tourism within the region. With this seminar on Global Warming: Impact on Tourism, PATA hopes that the event helps provide valuable insights and knowledge for the delegates on a topic that is vital for the for the responsible growth and development of a sustainable travel and tourism industry. This is a subject that PATA will also address at our PATA New Tourism Frontiers Forum 2015 to be held later this month in Legazpi, Albay, Philippines, a province that is a United Nations Global Model for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation. I wish PATWA and all the speakers a successful seminar on Global Warming: Impact on Tourism. Mario Hardy
MESSAGE FROM DILIP PARULEKAR Minister of Tourism, Government of Goa I am extremely happy that the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) is organizing an International Seminar on Global Warming: Impact on Tourism. Being the largest Travel Writers Association, having its presence all over, the organization is doing Yeoman s Service to the nation through various activities that have contributed immensely to the socio-economic growth of India. Goa Tourism is extremely proud of the achievements made by the, and assures full support and continued interactions with the. As you are aware, Goa Tourism is playing a key role in the overall development of the Tourism industry in the State of Goa. Tourism today is the key industry driving the State s economy and reach many milestones and is taking huge steps in every segment of tourism, whether Adventure Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Wedding Tourism, Yoga and Wellness Tourism, MICE Tourism, Monsoon Tourism, Heritage Tourism, Sports Tourism, Pilgrimage Tourism, Fashion Tourism etc. We have launched new ventures like Hot Air Balloons, Amphibious Vehicles, Sea Planes, and so on. We are confident that all these ventures will interest the World and India, and the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association. We assure that we will spread the message of Goa Tourism as a Hot and Happening Tourism Destination, a Safe and Preferred Holiday Destination through its Media Group. We wish the all the very best and all success in the conduct of the International Seminar on Global Warming: Impact on Tourism. Dilip Parulekar
MESSAGE FROM VINOD ZUTSHI IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India I am happy to learn that Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) is organising an International Seminar on Global Warming: Impact on Tourism during WTM, London. Sustainable Tourism is the need of the hour and all countries should synergise their endeavours to preserve the mother earth as well as strive to promote tourism in the key markets. The growth of international tourism is having a serious impact on the climate of various countries. The aviation and the hotel industry can contribute considerably in developing destinations into sustainable products where the ecology of the destination is preserved simultaneously with promotion of the country s culture and architecture. The World Travel Market is an ideal forum for such deliberation and I take this opportunity to wish the Seminar a great success. PATWA has been contributing considerably in the field of tourism and I compliment them for the same. Vinod Zutshi
Sagar Ahluwalia, Secretary General, PATWA, with Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, at the PATWA International Seminar at ITB Berln. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO, receiving the Tourism Man of the Year award from Sagar Ahluwalia, Secretary- General of PATWA. Prem Ahluwalia, Secretary PATWA is on the right Photo taken at the PATWA International Green Tourism at London during WTM. H.E. Mrs. Eglanting Gjermeni, Minister of Urban Development & Tourism, Albania, receiving the PATWA International Achiever Award from Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, UNWTO at ITB BERLIN
(L-R) Dilip Parulekar, Minister Tourism, Government of Goa, Sagar Ahluwalia, Secretary General, (PATWA), R.V.Deshpande, Minister of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, Ashwani Lohani MD & Commissioner, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department Corporation at the PATWA Seminar in New Delhi Travel advisories issued by different countries in the wake of incidents of rape in India could be driven by some business strategies of those competing with India as a tourist destination. There are international agencies working against the interest of India. They push an advisory at their country level as if a plague has happened in the country or some viral disease has spread and people would come with big masks or something, said Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism, Culture & Civil Aviation, who was the Chief Guest at the Safari India South Asia Travel Awards event held in collaboration with Pacific Area Travel Writer Association (PATWA) at Ashok Hotel, New Delhi. Recounting his own experience, Mahesh Sharma said that when he went to Johannesburg recently, he was asked PATWA: Future of MICE Tourism Glittering Ceremony of Safari India South Asia Travel Awards 2015 not to go out of the hotel after 6pm. He said, he apprehend that it was because of security reasons. People want to bring down the image of India as the most unsafe country, he added. R.V.Deshpande, Minister of Tourism, Government of Karnataka said that he is very delighted and pleased to know that Karnataka State has been nominated for Best Heritage State Award by Safari India South Asia Travel Awards 2015. As the state progresses, Government of Karnataka is determined to boost the tourism industry in the state as well as the whole world. It is an honour to State of Karnataka to organise the prestigious event of the Pacific Area Travel Association Travel Mart (PATA) 2015 in Bengaluru, the silicon valley of India. Karnataka will gain higher prominence on the global map of travel industry through its diverse attractions, he added. He further said, The Karnataka Government has recently launched Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-20. The policy aims to increase the contribution of tourism sector to the state GDP. The Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-20, hereby, supports existing Government policies and adopts an integrated approach for developing a sustainable tourism industry in the state, backed by relevant infrastructure, effective institutional mechanisms and enhanced capacities to deliver on these targets. Setting up of tourist Mitra Police, first time in the history of Government of Karnataka, rating of tourism facilities, enactment of tourism trade Facilitation Act, involving corporate in adopting and improving tourist destinations are some such measures. All the steps along with the new tourism policy would World Tourism & Aviation Leaders Summit I Global Warming : Impact on Tourism
place the State of Karnataka at the forefront of tourism in the country. MICE have become an important subject, over recent decades the meetings industries have contributed decisively to tourism s rapid growth and success. This growing segment is boosting the global economy by creating jobs, generating income and stimulating foreign investments. The meetings industry encourages year around tourism and offers tremendous opportunities for intellectual development and knowledge sharing, said Sagar Ahluwalia, Secretary General, Pacific Area Travel Writer Association (PATWA). He further said, India is focusing on MICE, Medical and Yoga Tourism in a big way. Tourism has taken a big leap after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India. I hope that tourism should be given same importance and facilities as given to exporter. Ashwani Lohani, MD & Commissioner, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department Corporation, Madan Prasad Bezbaruah, Representative (Asia), UNWTO and Prem Ahluwalia, Editor, Safari India were also present besides a large number of media, travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers and diplomats. Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Vice President, Emirates Airlines was conferred the Best Professional in Aviation Award Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism, Culture & Civil Aviation lighting the lamp at the Safari India South Asia Travel Awards held at Ashok Hotel, New Delhi. From (L-R) Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Prem Ahluwalia, Editor of Safari India, Madan Prasad Bezbaruah, Representative (Asia), UNWTO, R.V.Deshpande, Minister of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, Dilip Parulekar, Minister Tourism, Government of Goa, Ashwani Lohani MD & Commissioner, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department Corporation and Sagar Ahluwalia, Secretary General, (PATWA) World Tourism & Aviation Leaders Summit I Global Warming : Impact on Tourism
100th Session of the UNWTO World Tourism & Aviation Leaders Summit I Global Warming : Impact on Tourism
Executive Council in Croatia World Tourism & Aviation Leaders Summit I Global Warming : Impact on Tourism