BANGKOK, March 29, 2018 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has appointed Mr. Trevor Weltman as Chief of Staff effective April 2, 2018. Reporting to PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy, he will be responsible for planning, managing, coordinating and executing the Association’s various activities.

Dr. Hardy said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Trevor to the PATA family. I have known him for more than two years and during that time I have witnessed how passionate he is when involved in any project. He is a master planner and project manager and I believe he will be a great asset to the Association as well as a great mentor to many of the staff.”

Mr. Weltman has over 10 years of experience in Asia between China, India, and Vietnam. Prior to PATA, he was the Director of Sales and Marketing for HR consulting firm Lee Hecht Harrison Vietnam, and was also the Chief Marketing Officer for Triip.me, a venture-backed impact travel company present in 98 countries and over 650 cities around the world.

“Having collaborated with PATA on a few Human Capital Development initiatives over the last two years, I am excited to join the organisation in a full-time capacity,” said Mr. Weltman. “I have high confidence in PATA’s outstanding international team and believe fully in the leadership and vision of Dr. Hardy. Given the organisation’s demonstrated history of positive impact across the Asia Pacific region and the world, it is an honour to be able to help further PATA’s mission as the new Chief of Staff.”

After receiving his degree in Asian Studies from the University of Michigan, Mr. Weltman began his career at Google where he worked as an Account Strategist and mindset and management trainer. In addition to sales and marketing, he has over eight years of training experience, having led courses in marketing, personal development and meditation around the world in both Mandarin and English. He currently lives with his wife and two children in Vietnam and will relocate to Thailand in September this year.

The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, paid an official visit to Kazakhstan where he discussed with national authorities the Kazakh Tourism Strategy 2030.

Mr Pololikashvili met the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Bakytzhan Sagintayev, to discuss the development of the tourism sector in the country and how to further strengthen cooperation between Kazakhstan and UNWTO. The following issues were addressed during the meeting: support in the implementation of investment projects, trainings for tour guides, reinforcement of cooperation within the UNWTO Silk Road Programme and UNWTO assistance to Kazakhstan in marketing and communication.

During the visit, the Secretary General met Mr Muhamediuly Arystanbek, Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan to discuss the Tourism Strategy 2030. Mr Pololikashvili also visited the Museum of Future Energy established following Kazakhstan hosting of Expo 2017 Astana on the Future of Energy.