The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) today announced the launch of its Tsunami Recovery Fund. PATA is inviting PATA members, chapters, governments, tourist authorities, travel professionals and individual travellers to pledge money. The funds will be dedicated to a recovery programme for the benefit of tourism employees in Asia Pacific resort destinations affected by the disaster.
With a strong focus on human resource development and training, the money pledged to the Fund will directly help rebuild skills and livelihoods of tourism employees. PATA President and CEO, Mr Peter de Jong said: “We want to help rebuild lives and hope in tourism communities devastated by the December 26 tragedy. Our focus will be on helping people recover confidence and livelihoods in Sri Lanka, Sumatra, southern Thailand, southeast India, the Maldives, northwest Malaysia, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Other institutions will rebuild physical infrastructure. Our Fund will be different. It will sow the seeds of human hope and long-term recovery in the tourism sector.”

To pledge money to the PATA Tsunami Recovery Fund, e-mail [email protected]
. Or fill out the pledge form at www.PATA.org/tsunami
. This page also has in-depth information on the Indian Ocean disaster and recovery news relating to the travel industry.
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