PATA and Travel Unity combine to promote diversity and inclusion in Asia Pacific tourism

March 18, 2025

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Travel Unity, a charitable non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering diversity in travel and tourism through individual and community empowerment, have entered into a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Finalised in January 2025, the two-year MOU highlights a shared commitment to fostering a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable tourism industry while promoting sustainable growth across the Asia Pacific region.

Announcing the initiative, PATA Chief Executive, Noor Ahmad Hamid stated “this partnership with Travel Unity reaffirms PATA’s dedication to creating a tourism industry that values diversity and provides opportunities for all.

“Together, we aim to drive meaningful change, ensuring that travel continues to serve as a powerful force for connection, empowerment, and progress.”

Under this collaboration, PATA and Travel Unity will work jointly on various initiatives, including the cross-promotion of events and activities, reciprocal speaking opportunities, and exclusive benefits for their respective members. These benefits include discounts, early bird deals, and enhanced support in connecting with qualified buyers.

Additionally, PATA and Travel Unity will officially commence collaboration in the human capital development realm by conducting workshops and cohort programmes for PATA's youth community. These initiatives will cover various topics such as sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and aim to educate and empower the next generation of industry leaders. Through these efforts, both organisations focus on fostering a more diverse, inclusive, and skilled workforce, ultimately leading to long-term capacity-building efforts and stronger career pathways for young professionals in the travel and tourism sector.

Travel Unity Executive Director, Roni Weiss added "Travel Unity was founded on the belief that travel has the power to unite people of all backgrounds and identities.

“This partnership with PATA allows us to amplify the global impact of inclusive practices, bringing our mission more deeply into the Asia Pacific region.

“We are excited to collaborate with our friends at PATA to create opportunities that empower individuals and communities while driving meaningful progress in the travel industry."

PATA
Founded in 1951, PATA is a not-for-profit membership association that acts 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, which include government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as youth members across the world.

Travel Unity
Travel Unity, founded in 2016, is a New York,USA-based non-governmental organisation committed to making the world of travel welcoming to people of all backgrounds and identities. The organisation educates the travel industry on inclusive practices and fosters connections with marginalized communities.

Through certifications, workshops, events, and consulting, Travel Unity guides the global travel industry toward greater inclusivity. It also works to inspire the next generation by introducing youth to travel as a potential career path, building a more diverse and equitable future for the industry.

14th March 2025 - PATA achieves full carbon neutrality

19th January 2025 - PATA extends visitor forecasting collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

8th October 2023 - PATA Chair says tourism faces threats of climate change and geopolitical unrest

23rd November 2022 - Inclusive tourism presents significant opportunities

25th October 2022 - PATA appoints ecotourism leader Megan Epler Wood as its special advisor

11th November 2021 - Leaders in hospitality industry build an accessible and inclusive sustainability framework

10th September 2021 - Hong Kong Disneyland Resort appoints new Ambassadors to continue diversity and inclusion efforts

28th March 2021 - PATA releases growth scenarios forecast for Asia Pacific destinations

25th March 2021 - Lombok Tourism Polytechnic lecturer named 2021 PATA Face of the Future

17th December 2020 - WTTC releases major new guidelines for Inclusion and Diversity to aid tourism sector

22nd September 2020 - PATA offers free online training for tourism professionals

28th April 2020 - PATA anticipates 32% fall in Asia Pacific visitor numbers through 2020 but predicts resurgence in 2021

29th January 2020 - PATA anticipates one billion international visitor arrivals into Asia Pacific by 2024

13th November 2019 - PATA to present webinar on reducing plastic pollution

10th May 2019 - PATA reports on food waste in Asia’s tourism industry

14th July 2018 - Twin Cities World Tourism Association to be founded at PATA Travel Mart 2018

11th June 2018 - Industry leaders honoured at PATA Annual Summit 2018

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