During the PATA Annual Summit 2024, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) honored three outstanding tourism professionals and industry leaders for their significant contributions, skills, and expertise that have greatly benefited the Association and the overall development of tourism in the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Additionally, the Association recognized the appointment of Soon-Hwa Wong as the PATA Ambassador for Greater China.
The prestigious PATA Life Membership, PATA Award of Merit, and PATA Chairman’s Award were presented on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the PATA Annual Summit 2024 Welcome Dinner Reception and PATA Awards Presentation. This event was graciously hosted by the Macao Government Tourism Office and SJM Resorts, S.A., at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort in Macao, China.
“PATA congratulates all four individuals on this sincere acknowledgement of their passion and leadership in ensuring the responsible development of travel and tourism in Asia Pacific and beyond,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “With their guidance, the Association continues to grow and serve its purpose in supporting the industry. Their tireless efforts should inspire all of us as fellow tourism professionals to fulfil our roles in driving tourism forward.”
Mr. Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd, was awarded the PATA Life Membership, the Association’s highest individual honor. This award acknowledges his exceptional leadership and dedication to PATA.
Mr. Ng has held significant positions across various committees and associations within the travel and tourism industry. He served as Chairman of the PATA Singapore Chapter from 2008 to 2016 and currently acts as an Advisor to the Chapter. His extensive involvement with PATA includes roles as an Industry Council Member, Proxy Member, and Board Member between 1990 and 2023. He currently serves on PATA’s Supervisory Board.
Joining TTG Asia Media in 1984, Mr. Ng has been instrumental in its growth and success. In October 2000, he transitioned from Executive Director at Miller Freeman Pte Ltd to Managing Director at TTG Asia Media. Under his leadership, TTG Asia Media has achieved consistent organic growth and established profitable portfolios in event management, tourism, and travel trade publishing, expanding its geographic presence across Asia.
The PATA Award of Merit was presented to Ms. Elizabeth M. Chin, Executive Director of the PATA New York Chapter, recognizing her longstanding contributions to PATA and the chapter network. Ms. Chin has significantly contributed to the success of the PATA New York Chapter and supported various Association initiatives. She began her career as a corporate auditor and accumulated over 25 years of diverse experience across industries such as food service and entertainment. In 1986, she founded and has since owned ECI Travel World, specializing in tailored travel experiences to spectacular destinations worldwide.
Mr. Mayur Patel, Head of Asia at OAG, received the PATA Chairman’s Award, honoring his support, loyalty, and dedication during his tenure. Mr. Patel oversees business development and leads the sales organization in the region. Before joining OAG, he headed Regional Sales for ASPAC, the Middle East, and North Africa at Amadeus, focusing on Travel Intelligence. He also spent over seven years at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), working on aviation data solutions and services.
As PATA Ambassador for Greater China, Soon Hwa represents PATA in the region, promoting collaboration among stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry and enhancing PATA’s presence in Greater China. With over 40 years of experience in Asia Pacific travel and tourism, Soon Hwa is a seasoned senior business leader. As CEO of AsiaChina Pte Ltd, he leverages his extensive network and deep understanding of tourism and trade flows between Asia Pacific and China to provide tailored solutions across various sectors, including destination management, aviation, car rental, urban mobility, travel agency, and startups.
Soon Hwa’s passion for driving industry transformation is evident through his leadership roles, including Immediate Past Chair of PATA, current Chair of the PATA Singapore Chapter, and Honorary Chairman of the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS). He collaborates with senior tourism leaders, policymakers, educators, and innovators to shape the future of tourism and hospitality in the region and beyond.
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