The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has presented its Japan Appeal support package worth tens of thousands of dollars to the PATA Japan Chapter at ANA headquarters in Tokyo.

The package comprised a one million yen (US$12,318) cheque and extensive in-kind support to help Japan’s travel industry members attend PATA Travel Mart in New Delhi in September.

PATA initiated the appeal for the Japan Aid Movement to raise funds for disaster relief following the March 11th tsunami.

The donation will be channelled to affected areas through the PATA Japan Chapter.

PATA Interim chief executive Bill Calderwood presented the cheque and support package to senior PATA members in Japan represented by PATA Life Member and PATA Foundation Trustee, Nobutaka Ishikure, and PATA Japan Chapter members Katsuhito Nishihori and Rick Vogel.

“In this time of crisis, PATA has a valuable role to play by providing moral and financial support to help us recover from tragedy,” said Ishikure.

“We cannot say how much we are encouraged and inspired by the goodwill.”

Vogel added: “On behalf of PATA Japan Chapter members and the people in the Tohoku region and beyond, please accept our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for your various donations, incredible amount of kindness, compassion and generosity. Your support and encouragement has provided us with a much needed lifeline and shown us that we are not alone. We stand united as a PATA family.”

Japan Earthquake

PATA responded to the March 11th tragedy by contacting its members in Japan and across the Pacific. With feedback from members, PATA supplied accurate status reports of the situation to media and travel industry stakeholders. PATA and its members also put together a recovery support package.

Apart from the money donation, PATA will host up to six nominated Japanese outbound buyers, six sellers and two media colleagues at the PATA Travel Mart 2011 in New Delhi in September.

In addition, PATA will maximise media coverage for Japan through various PATA marketing communications channels.

PATA is also establishing a Rapid Recovery Task Force that will assist member destinations recover from future crises. When operational, the Task Force will work with affected destinations to devise response strategies.

As part of the process, PATA will unite with UNWTO, WTTC, JATA and other bodies to ensure consistency and global reach in actions taken.