Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, was elected today (21) to serve as a voting-member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Executive Board, the association’s governing body, during PATA Annual Summit 2016, held in Guam, USA.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes was elected by PATA Board members gathered in Guam, as one of the 12-voting members of the PATA Executive Board for the next two years. The appointment is a step-up to the term of Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes in the PATA Executive Board served for the past year as an invited non-voting member.

“My new responsibilities in PATA are a great honor for Macao tourism and also an endorsement to our efforts throughout the years to support the association’s endeavor to foster sustainable tourism development in the Asia-Pacific”, Senna Fernandes said.

PATA Executive Board determines industry policies and positions of PATA as the governing body of the association. It is also responsible for governing the corporate affairs and operations of PATA.

Hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau, the PATA Annual Summit 2016 gathered 640 participants from 33 countries and territories from May 18 to 21 at the tropical island in the Pacific. MGTO Director attended several meetings of the association held during the four days, namely the PATA Executive Board Meeting, the PATA Board Meeting and the PATA Annual General Meeting. Senna Fernandes also joined the PATA organized one-day conference “Exploring the Secrets of the Blue Continent” and the half-day PATA/UNWTO Ministerial Debate on Pacific Island Tourism, featuring international experts, as well as participated at the PATA Marketplace, to hear about key industry issues and trends from the experts. MGTO Director was also present at the PATA Foundation Charity Gala Dinner, and the welcome fiesta hosted by Guam Visitors Bureau to delegates that included the PATA 65th anniversary celebrations.

For decades, PATA has been a valuable platform for Macao to promote its tourism image and connect local travel trade stakeholders to the world. Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industry, including among its members government tourism bodies, travel trade operators and tourism educational institutions. Macao has been a PATA member since 1958.