Photo: The new PATA Foundation Board of Trustees includes Andrew Jones, FIH. CHA., Guardian – Sanctuary Resorts; Simon Lloyd, Dean, Hospitality Management and Business Administration, Dusit Thani College; Hiran Cooray, Chairman, Jetwing Symphony/Lighthouse Hotel PLC.; Sarah Mathews, CEO, e-Tourism Frontiers; and Stephen Pearce, Partner, Tourism and Leisure, Gaining Edge.
The PATA Foundation today announces the appointment of a new Board of Trustees, the governing body entrusted with guiding the organisation’s strategic efforts to ensure that the next generation across Asia Pacific is equipped with the skills needed to build sustainable and thriving careers in tourism and hospitality.
Established as a charity organisation in the United States in 1984, the PATA Foundation’s mission is to promote sustainable and equitable growth of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry by supporting the region’s most vulnerable communities. From then to the present day, the Foundation has donated over USD1.3 million to support human capital development in 38 destinations across the world.
Andrew Jones, FIH. CHA., Guardian of Sanctuary Resorts, has been named Chair of the Foundation. Before this role, Jones previously served as Vice Chair and Trustee of the Foundation, Chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and has been honoured with the designation as a PATA Life Member.
Upon his appointment, Jones said, “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PATA Foundation experienced a hiatus of activity. We are now fully operational and moving forward with renewed passion and purpose as our industry transitions from recovery to sustainable growth.”
He added, “Our vision and mission to safeguard the livelihoods of the underprivileged communities and support the responsible and sustainable environmental efforts of our industries, remain as relevant as ever during this critical period. As the industry evolves, progress must be inclusive, and no one should be left behind.”
Jones is a highly regarded expert in responsible and sustainable tourism development and risk management, as well as a strong advocate for Corporate Social Responsibility and wellness in tourism. With over five decades of experience in the travel and tourism industry, he has held numerous senior management and advisory positions with prestigious hotels, resorts, management companies, educational institutions, and a variety of esteemed organisations across London, Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, and wider Asia.
In 1996, Jones founded Sanctuary Resorts, a resort management company dedicated to sustainable wellness tourism and community development, where he currently serves as Guardian. He remains deeply committed to community engagement and is Chairman Emeritus of the KELY (Kid’s Everywhere Like You) Support Group in Hong Kong, a Member of the Advisory Peer Group (APG), Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, and a supporter of myriad other charitable organisations and social ventures in Hong Kong SAR.
Alongside Jones, Simon Lloyd, Dean, Hospitality Management and Business Administration, Dusit Thani College, was appointed Vice Chair of the Foundation. Three other members of the Board of Trustees include:
- Hiran Cooray, Chairman, Jetwing Symphony/Lighthouse Hotel PLC.
- Sarah Mathews, CEO, e-Tourism Frontiers
- Stephen Pearce, Partner, Tourism and Leisure, Gaining Edge
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