PATA in Talks With APEC Ministers
OCTOBER 25, 2006. Breaking down barriers to travel has been the focus of PATA discussions with tourism ministers and senior government advisors from 21 APEC destinations.
ATA Director-Strategic Intelligence Centre Mr John Koldowski engaged in the top-level talks during the APEC tourism ministerial meetings and working group sessions in Hoi An, Vietnam, October 12-19.
"This was a unique opportunity for direct dialogue with the government leaders of travel and tourism across the region," said Mr Koldowski. "We raised and discussed issues that are critical to our members, such as the need for more equitable taxation policies and the judicious liberalisation of air services agreements."
Mr Koldowski first met with ministers and advisors at an informal retreat and then gave a presentation during the plenary session of the ministerial meeting. He said it was the ideal forum for the Association to embrace a PATA Industry Council recommendation to lobby governments regionally to stem the rapid spread of taxation on tourism, which represents an increasing barrier to trade.
In addition, PATA tabled The Economic Impact of Air Service Liberalisation, a report released jointly by PATA, Boeing and other member organisations, which highlights the multiple economic benefits of 'open skies' policies. The Association also tabled the PATA / Visa International study on travel intentions to demonstrate the influence of government-issued travel advisories on consumer attitudes to travel and tourism.
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