PATA bolsters management team

RECRUITMENT: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has significantly bolstered its management team with the recruitment of four experienced travel and tourism professionals at Bangkok head office, effective from the start of 2007.

Michael Yates joins as Vice President-Operations, after consulting to the organisation for more than three years.

He will play a key role in supporting the change in the agenda initiated by PATA President and CEO, Peter de Jong, to ensure PATA continues its evolution into an agile, knowledge-based association.

Yates has spent more than 20 years in management roles having an experience in the job in travel and tourism in both the private and public sectors, based in Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Auckland and Singapore.

Louise Butler joins as Director-Membership Services, and will be focused on leading the membership team in the pursuit of PATA's ambitious membership growth and retention goals.

Min Min Wong joins as Assistant Director-Corporate Communications, and will drive PATA's advocacy and reputation management strategies, brand communications and media relations. Chami Jotisalikorn joins as Assistant Director-Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) after many years of writing and editing for interior design, spa and hotel clients.

The author of 10 lifestyle books published in six languages, she also worked as a strategic planner for a Thai advertising agency. Her experience has been appreciated by many in the industry.