News
Stay up to date with PATA’s sustainable and resilient tourism initiatives through our newsletter, blog posts, press releases and more…
Blog posts
See here all blog posts related to PATA’s sustainability and social responsibility work. For the full blog, access this page.
Nov 30, 2023
PATA and Visa’s Finance and Digital Skills for Tourism SMEs Workshops Successfully Completed
PATA and Visa’s Finance and Digital Skills Workshops, aiming to increase the resilience and adaptive capacity of tourism SMEs, has been successfully brought to an end in September 2023, empowering a total of 120 tourism businesses in Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines with greater knowledge and skills on financial management and business digitalisation.
Jun 15, 2023
Informal Workers Programme: Interview with Ayu Masita from Wise Steps Indonesia
PATA and Visa's Informal Workers Programme has successfully concluded in Indonesia thanks to our project implementation partner Wise Steps. Ayu Masita, Wise Steps Group Co-founder and COO, shares with us the main challenges faced by the informal workers in Indonesia and how the programme was developed to assist them.
Jun 5, 2023
New Online Learning Modules Available: Finance and Digital Skills for Tourism SMEs
In October 2022, PATA began collaborating with Visa to develop two new online learning modules, Financial Skills for Tourism SMEs and Digital Skills for Tourism SMEs, which are currently available for free in six languages at the SRC (Sustainability Resource Centre) platform. Learn more about the modules content and how to enroll in this blog.
Nov 11, 2022
PATA on the ground: Tourlink Project Trains 250+ Thai Tourism Businesses on Sustainability
In September 2022, PATA and other eight partners for the Tourlink project got together in Phuket and Chiang Mai to deliver training on sustainability standards and best practices to over 250 tourism businesses and suppliers. PATA's workshops focused on training businesses how to reduce food and plastic waste in their operations.
Sep 7, 2022
PATA, UNESCO and Expedia Group Partner for Sustainable Tourism Course for Tourism Businesses
PATA started a collaboration with UNESCO and Expedia Group to help build the capacity of tourism and hospitality businesses towards plastic waste reduction and community empowerment. The open-sourced online course is a call-to-action to reduce single-use plastic waste by supporting local knowledge and products.
Sep 2, 2022
PATA Resilience Forum 2022: Developing Partnerships for Tourism Destination Resilience
PATA's Resilience Forum that took place on August 24th provided a great opportunity for destinations to better understand the available financing and investment opportunities for increasing resilience and sustainability. It also presented the key lessons learned from the Tourism Destination Resilience Programme.
Aug 18, 2022
PATA publishes a new online resource: Food & Plastic Waste Reduction Standards
The Food and Plastic Waste Reduction Standards present a series of criteria and checkboxes that tourism and hospitality businesses can follow to minimise food and plastic waste in their operations. These are followed by examples, case studies, tools and additional reading for digging deeper into food and plastic waste solutions.
Mar 23, 2022
PATA is Reaching Out to Tourism’s Forgotten People – The Informal Workers
With the COVID-19 pandemic having a severe impact on the tourism sector, PATA has been reaching out to people who work directly and indirectly in this sector. This is particularly on the informal workers who are often ignored in the tourism supply chain. Find out more about the informal workers here and how they are affected.
Feb 24, 2022
Ultimate Guide to Tourism Destination Resilience (TDR) Programme
The Tourism Destination Resilience (TDR) programme as an important tool for destinations to not only be one step ahead in the COVID-19 recovery but also, more importantly, to be prepared future crises that will surely come. This blog is a step-by-step guide on how to take advantage of all the available TDR tools created by PATA.
Feb 10, 2022
Resilience Leads COVID-19 Recovery in the Tourism Industry
Resilience is not only a strategy for recovery, but a necessary process to ultimately achieve sustainable tourism development. Destinations cannot be sustainable if they are not resilient first, and this is why PATA has launched the TDR (Tourism Destination Resilience) Programme, supported by GIZ and BMZ.
Press releases
For the full list of PATA’s press releases, see here.
Oct 30, 2023
PATA and Visa's Finance and Digital Skills Workshops for Tourism SMEs Successfully Concluded in Four Destinations
PATA and Visa implemented in-person workshops in Hanoi, Jakarta, Siem Reap and the Laguna Province from July to September 2023. Each workshop consisted of two days, the first focussing on Finance Skills and the second on Digital Skills. Topics included financial management, risk management and financial benefits of sustainability, as well as business digitalisation, digital marketing, online payments and cybersecurity.
Aug 10, 2023
PATA and Visa's Finance and Digital Skills Workshops for Tourism SMEs Commences in Southeast Asia
PATA is delighted to announce the start of a series of workshops in Southeast Asia to increase the financial literacy and digital skills of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in tourism in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. These workshops are part of PATA's collaboration with Visa to build the capacity of informal workers and tourism businesses in the region.
Jun 27, 2023
Informal Workers Programme Concludes in With More Than 500 Participants Trained in Bali and Jakarta
The Informal Workers Programme was designed to assist the informal tourism sector to recover from COVID-19 and increase resilience through new knowledge and skills. Whereas the focus of the 2021 programme in Bangkok was to help prepare informal workers for the reopening of international tourism and safety; in Bali and Jakarta, the needs analysis showed that informal workers required new skills to better manage their businesses.
Jun 2, 2023
PATA Launches New Online Learning Modules for Tourism SMEs on Finance and Digital Skills
PATA is delighted to announce the launch of two new online learning modules on PATA's Sustainability Resource Centre (SRC) platform, formerly known as the Crisis Resource Centre (CRC). The new modules are part of a collaboration with Visa to expand the Tourism Destination Resilience (TDR) Programme, this time focusing on assisting tourism small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Apr 3, 2023
PATA and Visa's Informal Workers Programme concludes in Bali, Indonesia
PATA and Visa are delighted to announce the completion of the Informal Workers Programme in Bali, Indonesia. The programme was created in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support one of the most important – but often overlooked – stakeholders in the tourism industry: the informal workers. Having been successfully implemented in Bangkok, PATA and Visa came together to expand the programme in Jakarta and Bali.
Feb 13, 2023
PATA partners with Visa to help build the capacity of tourism SMEs and informal workers
PATA is delighted to announce the start of a new collaboration with Visa to extend the Tourism Destination Resilience (TDR) Programme and continue to help build a more resilient and sustainable tourism industry. The partnership focuses specifically on building the capacity of two crucial but often overlooked travel and tourism stakeholders, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and informal workers.
Aug 4, 2022
PATA-UNESCO-Expedia Launch Online Course to Reduce Single-Use Plastics in Tourism
PATA is pleased to announce the launch of a new online resource for increasing the sustainability of the tourism sector. The course, Targeting Zero Plastics in Tourism Businesses – with UNESCO, PATA & Expedia Group, is launched in conjunction with this year's PATA Destination Marketing Forum (PDMF), held in Songkhla, Thailand, from August 2-4.
Aug 1, 2022
PATA publishes ‘Food and Plastic Waste Reduction Standards’ under EU Switch-Asia TourLink project
PATA is proud to publish the Food and Plastic Waste Reduction Standard for Tourism Businesses as part of its commitment to the European Union (EU)-funded TourLink project, under the EU SWITCH-ASIA Programme, which aims to drive Thai tour operators and suppliers, from hotels to transport companies and activity providers, towards sustainability.
Jan 18, 2022
PATA Partners to Launch New Net Zero Methodology for Hotels
PATA in partnership with global hospitality, travel and tourism sector organisations released the Net Zero Methodology for Hotels. It provides detailed guidance on how hotels can approach the technical aspects of net zero, such as what should be included in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, milestones to be reached by target years such as 2025, 2030 and 2040, and how to approach decarbonisation through renewable energy.
Sep 28, 2021
Sustainable Thai Tourism Supply Chain Project by PATA and EU Switch Asia
PATA has partnered with a European Union (EU)-funded TourLink project that recently kicked-off, under the EU SWITCH-ASIA programme. TourLink is a Thai tourism supply chain initiative, linking EU buyers with Thai tour operators and suppliers, aiming to increase competitive advantage by raising sustainability performance.
May 11, 2021
PATA Joins The Future of Tourism Coalition to Chart a More Sustainable Direction for Tourism as the Sector Recovers From COVID-19
PATA has today become a signatory of The Future of Tourism Coalition with the global mission to place destinations at the centre of recovery strategies. The Coalition was formed in 2020 by six global non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), Destination Stewardship Center, Green Destinations, Sustainable Travel International, Tourism Cares, and the Travel Foundation.
Apr 8, 2021
PATA Calls for Urgent Action to Address the COVID-19 Impacts on the Thai Tourism Supply Chain
PATA, in partnership with focusright and with the support of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Switzerland, conducted research on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on informal workers in the Thai tourism supply chain. The research identified urgent and necessary actions needed to support workers in the Thai informal supply chain until international tourism restarts.
Aug 4, 2020
PATA Joins Global Tourism Plastics Initiative to Take on Plastic Pollution
PATA has today become a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, led by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. It enables businesses and governments to take concerted action, leading by example in the shift towards a circularity in the use of plastics.
SDGs Matter
Adding voice to our members’ SDG innovations and achievements, we invite our members to join the conversation on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by submitting content that will be featured in the PATA weekly newsletter and our social media channels. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. Read more about this initiative here.
Nov 1, 2023
Seoul Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference 2023
The Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) was established to promote the tourism industry and revitalize the local economy by creating a global brand for the city of Seoul to increase its recognition across the world. Seoul is actively pursuing the path of sustainable tourism with a focus on both the local residents and the environment. It all begins with “Seoul Sustainable Tourism Conference 2023”.
Oct 23, 2023
International Chef’s Day: Cooking up Culinary Change with LightBlue
This October, chefs from around the world are stirring up more than just culinary delights. As October celebrates two vital occasions; International Chef Day and World Food Day, with chefs embracing sustainable food practices and championing a food waste revolution with the FIT Tech.
Oct 13, 2023
Embracing Sustainability in Travel: How the Travel Industry can Support the UNSDGs – by Sabre
One of the guiding principles of Sabre’s ESG strategy is to use the framework of the UNSDGs to highlight the areas that will help deliver the most positive impact and achieve the sustainability goals. This blog maps how travel can play an influential role in catalysing positive global change.
Aug 14, 2023
Dusit International Launches New Group-wide Sustainability Program, ‘Tree of Life’
Fully embracing ‘Sustainability’ as one of the four key pillars of Dusit Graciousness, Dusit International has rolled out a new group-wide sustainability initiative, Tree of Life, designed to ensure the company delivers on its promise to always have a positive impact wherever it sets foot.
Mar 31, 2023
Kiribati recognises the value in Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism
As an emerging destination, Kiribati recognises that the future of tourism for the small island state must be sustainable and has undertaken initiatives to promote and support sustainable tourism development across the country.
Nov 4, 2022
Promoting Gender Mainstreaming: Recommendations for Vocational Training Centers
The publication ‘Promoting Gender Mainstreaming: Recommendations for vocational training centers in ASSET-H&C network’ outlines how we can promote and sustain gender equality in the tourism industry, with practical examples that offer applicable and actionable suggestions on gender-mainstreaming.
Oct 12, 2022
Horus Development & Consulting’s Podcast Series
CHORUS Podcast aims to promote new ideas, values, and best practices in the fields of sustainability in travel and tourism through conversations with opinion leaders who share the same passion. You can find episodes featuring PATA Members here in this blog!
Oct 3, 2022
How IKEA Teamed Up with Winnow to Halve Their Global Food Waste
On September 20, 2022, IKEA announced that it has halved its food waste, achieving its ambitious timeline to adhere to and go beyond the UN 2030 Goal. Started in 2017, Winnow and IKEA teamed up to implement the Waste Watcher programme across its stores to tackle food waste through Artificial Intelligence.
Aug 8, 2022
Climate Adaptation and Tourism – a Closer Link than We might Think?
How can climate adaptation strategies be supported by tourism? Is there actually a close connection between tourism and climate adaptation? Is there a possibility that the pandemic might have, or might be, making climate adaptation in tourism a more plausible idea?
Jul 28, 2022
A Success Story: Community-based Tourism in Mai Chau, Vietnam
In 2007, the Discova groups began working with communities in the Mai Chau district of northern Vietnam to help locals improve infrastructure, education, water supply for agriculture, and build up community-based tourism in the area. Thanks to the financial support, the hands-on project work and donations help, there is continuous and successful development.
May 5, 2022
What We Should Understand About the Idea of Equal Distribution of the Benefits of Tourism
We in tourism should develop a better understanding of the idea of equal sharing of tourism’s benefits, one that looks beyond economic aspects. When that happens, our ability to develop engagement with local communities and other stakeholders will be stronger.
Apr 20, 2022
The Om Goi Water Filtration System Comes to Completion!
After raising USD $11,593 through Walk for Water campaign, Discova started their work in implementing the Om Goi Water Filtration System for San Mamuang village in Om Goi district that will grant the households access to clean water supply.
Apr 6, 2022
Manggis Update Part IV, 2022: Preparing for Tourism
To prepare Manggia Villagers for the return of Bali’s tourism, Discova helped transformed some of the infrastructures, delivered training to nurture necessary skills for tourism businesses, and advised investments in the community.
Dec 2, 2021
ASSET-H&C’s Eco-Guide for Hospitality Businesses & Schools is Now Available in Burmese, Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese
ASSET-H&C has outlined 55 tips and good practices to reduce Tourism’s impact on the environment which can be downloaded from the company’s website. It is also available in Burmese, Khmer, Thai and Vietnamese.
Oct 4, 2021
Greenview & Cornell Report Reveals Continued Hotel Carbon Footprint Reduction
The data from the latest Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking (CHSB) shows that the average carbon footprint of a hotel stay reduced by 3% between 2018 and 2019. The data on energy, carbon and water has been collected from over 21,000 hotels across 57 destinations.
Learn How a PATA Membership Can Help You Achieve Your Organisational Goals
We help support the growth of our members’ businesses in both public and private sectors by expanding their networks regionally and globally, while strengthening the tourism industry through trade events, industry research, professional development programs, and targeted channels for brand exposure.