Reconnecting the World in Ras al Khaimah

PATA Annual Summit Program 2022

Tin Ma - Majestic Vacations

Tin Ma-Majestic Vacations (E World Tours) product presentation on September 7th was attended by leading GTT agents from the NYC/NJ area, and Joebert Opulencia, NY PATA Chairman.

In business since 1984, GTT is now recognized as the highest producing air consolidator in the U.S. with 40 offices nationwide and sales in excess of $500 million annually. GTT provides travel agents with the largest selection of air carrier contracts that provide competitive net fares that you can mark up or generous commissions for published international airfares.

Member News

Catherine Heald

Look what Catherine spotted in Japan.

“I was in the oldest hotel in Japan up in the mountains in Nikko and saw this old PATA sticker which I thought was rather interesting.”

What We Found!

In its first year Pacific Interim Travel Association (PITA) worked with governments to ease entry and exit requirements for foreigners, seeing success in Japan, the US and the Philippines.

By the second conference in March 1953 (held in Hawaii like the first) PITA had increased its membership from 33 active and allied members to 49. It was also at this conference that it was decided to change the association's name to ‘Pacific Area Travel Association’ – or PATA.

1986 saw PATA change its name from Pacific Area Travel Association to Pacific Asia Travel Association to reflect the ever-increasing importance of Asia in commerce and world affairs.

It’s a vintage PATA logo!!

Samuel Seyoum

GTT coverage of PATA New York’s Anniversary Banquet

https://legacy.gttglobal.com/GTT/edm/2022/GTT_22-09-12_WEEKLY.htm

Nena Komarica

In her 30+ years of working for Croatia Tourism, Nena Komarica has seen her native country go from rarely-visited part of communist Yugoslavia to one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Nena is an Art Historian of Culture & Tourism, and she was a professor of Art History at the University of Philosophy, faculty of Zagreb, Croatia. Recently appointed by the Croatian government, Nena is a member of the Croatian Advisory Board for the Croats abroad to promote their cultural heritage.

Nena just finished an art documentary movie about a Croatian artist that she discovered in the USA. The documentary will be premiered on September 22, 2022 at 8 pm in the theatre of Matica Hrvatska. Matrix Croatie, one of the oldest Croatian cultural institutions, just had its 180th birthday in April 2022.

Congratulations, Nena!!

J.P. Cone

J.P. Cone pictured outside Belfast's Botanic Inn with members of the Belfast Trojans American Football team and some ex-Nebraska Cornhuskers players (including former Green Bay Packer Ahman Green) and fans who were gearing up for the big college game against Northwestern at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Brazil Celebrating 200 Years of Independence

BRAZIL, with a glorious history and the 10th largest economy in the world today, is celebrating 200 years of its independence on September 7th. In early 1822, Dom Pedro, the Prince of Brazil, was under heavy pressure from Portugal to abandon his post as regent and return to Lisbon so that Brazil would be a colony again.

Choosing to aid his people instead of obeying the court, Dom Pedro boldly announced “I shall stay”, in what is known as “Dia do Fico”. This set the ground for the process of severing ties with Portugal that would lead to Brazilian independence that very year, on September 7th. Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889.

The celebration this year of Brazil’s bicentenary of independence coincides with another event of special significance. It marks 55 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Brazil and Singapore, a relationship that has brought political and commercial benefits to the 2 countries.

Brazil is famous for its stunning beaches, rainforests, and diverse cities. It is known as the country of football with world-renowned footballers such as Pelé and Neymar born there.

As a tribute to Brazil’s national day, the Empire State Building was lit with the colors green, yellow and blue.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai

Mooncake Festival - September 10, 2022

In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a 3-day celebration. Because the harvest was tied to the moon cycle, the festival is meant to take place when the moon is at its fullest. Ceremonies are held both to give thanks for the harvest and to encourage the harvest-giving light to return again in the coming year. It is also a reunion time for families, like a Thanksgiving.

Come celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in NYC Chinatown, this weekend.

Sharing mooncakes with friends and family is an essential Mid-Autumn tradition. Mooncakes are delicious… and revolutionary! During the Yuan Dynasty, they were used to pass secret messages, which helped overthrow the Mongolian empire in China.

Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong

Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple will hold the Lantern Carnival, where large lanterns were set with various types of lanterns and lighting decorations. There will be traditional folk performances, cultural workshops, and classic game booths!

Each year, an alleyway in Yuen Long's Tai Kiu Market gets transformed into a colorful 'Lantern Street' just ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival. From rabbit to goldfish-shaped lanterns, you'll find all kinds of handcrafted lanterns for sale. They also decorate the street from floor to ceiling, turning it into an Instagram hotspot.

The East Coast Park Precinct located in Fortress Hill is decorated with the theme of Thousands of Lantern Lights, and has included elements of eco-friendliness in the decorations. There are water bottle-shaped bunny lanterns and 12 shelters covered with 800 lanterns of different sizes and LED lights. The bamboo scaffolding is similarly covered with lanterns to form a lantern tunnel. With the beautiful Victoria Harbour as the background, don’t miss the chance to enjoy a festive night with your friends and family!

To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, a thematic lantern display entitled “River in the City” will be held at the Jordan Valley Channel and the Kai Tak River, featuring festive lantern displays of biodiversity resulting from the river revitalization to celebrate the beauty of the autumn moon.

NY PATA 60th Anniversary in the Year of the Tiger

New Decade … New Era

Technology | Innovation | Relevance | Resilience

Elizabeth Chin

Executive Director

PATA New York

newyorkpata@gmail.com

www.newyorkpata.org

2022-09-09 CC145

PATA New York Chapter is dedicated to facilitate meaningful partnerships to enhance the value, quality and sustainable growth of travel and tourism to and from countries in APAC, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) founded in 1951 is the recognized authority on Asia Pacific travel and tourism. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organizations, which including government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organizations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world.