About PATA Sustainability & Social Responsibility
PATA has been a champion of environmental and cultural heritage since its inception. Measures taken to demonstrate PATA’s stance on social responsibility include the 1970 conference on Tourism and Heritage Conservation, and the adoption of the APEC/PATA Code for Sustainable Tourism in 2001, the establishment of PATA Foundation and of the PATA Gold Awards – of note is an award category of environment, which honours the “best” practices upheld by individuals or organizations in protection and conservation of the environment, and the establishment of the Sustainability and Social Responsibility (SSR) Committee and PATA Task Forces.
History
The PATA story of Sustainability and Social Responsibility began 23 years after the organisation was established in 1951, when the concept of the PATA Development Authority was brought to light. The Development Authority, established with the idea that PATA can assume leadership in environmental matters was a precursor to today’s Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee. At the time, the scope of activity for Development Authority included environmental, social, and economic planning. After the establishment of the Development Authority, sustainable milestones began to leave their mark on the history of the organization, including the establishment of the PATA Foundation, the inauguration of PATA Gold Awards Environment Category, with the addition of a Corporate Social Responsibility category in 2014, and the APEC/PATA Code for Sustainable Tourism. Partnerships with relevant and committed organizations have strengthened PATA’s efforts in raising awareness of sustainable and socially responsible travel and tourism.
Today, PATA continues to build its partnerships with sustainability-minded organizations including GIZ, EarthCheck, Travelife for Tour Operators, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which provide member benefits such as tools to become more sustainable, as well as educational sessions in the form of webinars. Additionally, PATA is striving to formalize ties with various branches of the UN, including UNWTO, ILO, UNEP, UNESCO, and UNISDR, which will give the organization further support in realizing its potential and mission to develop a sustainable and responsible visitor economy in the Asia Pacific region.
In alignment with PATA’s 3 pillars – insightful research, aligned advocacy, and innovative events, PATA’s sustainability strategy objectives are to:
- Generate tools that will allow sharing of knowledge on good sustainability practices
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and generate awareness on sustainability issues
- Advocate for policies related to sustainable development of the visitor economy
- Advocate for responsible organizational practices
- Utilize PATA’s network to disseminate key related messages, disseminate awareness and knowledge on sustainability and social responsibility to develop a sustainable and responsible visitor economy
- Incorporation of sustainability and social responsibility into all facets of PATA’s strategy and activities
PATA Sustainability News
At PATA we empower our members to leave a positive impact on the surrounding environments in which they operate. This also means that as an organisation we must work to improve our own sustainability.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association will, by example and facilitation, provide leadership towards the achievement of environmental and economic sustainability, cultural preservation and social responsibility by the travel and tourism industry in the Asia Pacific region. PATA pledges to: Photo Credits: Chi Lo, PATA Sustaining Indigenous Cultures “Travel is a passage through other people’s lives and other people’s places.” The PATA Traveller’s Code was approved by the PATA Sustainable Tourism Committee at its April 13, 2002 meeting in New Delhi, India. The Code for Sustainable Tourism was adopted by both PATA and APEC as a reflection of their strong commitment to tourism growth across the Asia and Pacific region that is viable and sustainable over a long-term future. This code urges PATA International and Chapter members and APEC Member Economies to: Conserve the natural environment, ecosystems and biodiversity Respect and support local traditions, cultures and communities Maintain environmental management systems Conserve energy and reduce waste and pollutants Encourage a tourism commitment to environments and cultures Educate and inform others about local environments and cultures Cooperate with others to sustain environments and cultures The APEC/PATA Code for Sustainable Tourism was signed by the APEC Chairperson and the PATA Chairperson at the 50th PATA Annual Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
PATA Traveller’s Code