PATA Announces New Executive Board Members
PATA has expanded its Executive Board with five new members from Hawaii, Singapore, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, and Nepal, representing both public tourism bodies and private travel companies.
Photo by PATA
KUCHING, Malaysia — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce the appointment of five additional members to its Executive Board, further strengthening the Association’s leadership and broadening representation from both the public and private sectors across the Asia Pacific region.
The newly elected and appointed Executive Board members are:
Ms. Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority, USA - Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, APAC, Booking.com, Singapore - Executive Board Member
Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director, Visit Maldives Corporation, Maldives - Executive Board Member
Mr. Alhasan Aldabbagh, President, APAC, Saudi Tourism Authority, Saudi Arabia - Non-Voting Executive Board Member
Mr. Suman Pandey, Group Chairman, Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, Nepal - Non-Voting Executive Board Member
The first three members were elected to the Executive Board, while Mr. Aldabbagh and Mr. Pandey were appointed as non-voting Executive Board members. Together, they bring extensive industry experience, regional perspectives and expertise to further strengthen the Association’s leadership.
Together, these appointments further strengthen PATA’s leadership and reflect its commitment to broadening industry representation, expertise and collaboration across the Asia Pacific region.
We are delighted to welcome Jennifer, Yang, Ibrahim, Alhasan and Suman to the PATA Executive Board. With the Board now fully constituted, we look forward to drawing on their diverse experience, knowledge and perspectives as we continue to strengthen PATA and support collaboration across our membership and the wider tourism industry.
Henry Oh, Chairman, PATA
As Secretary/Treasurer, Ms. Jennifer Chun will contribute her extensive experience in tourism research and destination development to PATA’s leadership. She currently serves with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and has been actively engaged with PATA through her participation in the Association’s programmes and activities.
Mr. Yang Li brings extensive experience in the digital travel sector through his role with Booking.com in Singapore. His expertise in technology, digital platforms and the evolving travel ecosystem will provide valuable perspectives as PATA works to support its members in navigating a rapidly changing tourism landscape.
Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree represents Visit Maldives Corporation and brings experience from one of the Asia Pacific region’s leading island destinations. His perspective will further strengthen PATA’s engagement with destination organisations and the priorities of island tourism economies.
Mr. Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC at Saudi Tourism Authority, brings extensive experience in destination development, international tourism and market engagement. His appointment further strengthens PATA’s representation and relationships across the Asia Pacific region and the wider global tourism community.
Mr. Suman Pandey, Group Chairman of Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, has been a longstanding contributor to PATA and has served in leadership roles within the Association. His continued participation as a non-voting member will provide valuable continuity and industry insight, particularly from the perspective of adventure and experiential tourism.
With the addition of the newly elected members, PATA’s Executive Board comprises:
Chairman
Henry Oh, Chairman, Global Tour Ltd
Vice Chair
Ben Montgomery, Corporate Ambassador, Centara Hotels & Resorts
Secretary/Treasurer
Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority
Executive Board Members
Jackson Pek, Chief Corporate & Legal Affairs Officer, Amadeus
Maria Paz Alberto, President, Ark Travel Express, Inc.
Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, APAC, Booking.com
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Director-General, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)
Dr Sharzede Salleh Askor, CEO, Sarawak Tourism Board
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director, Visit Maldives Corporation
Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC, Saudi Tourism Authority
Suman Pandey, Group Chairman, Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure
Ex-Officio
Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA
The new members will work alongside PATA Chairman Henry Oh and the Association’s Executive Board to support PATA’s strategic priorities and advance its mission of sharing knowledge, enabling networking and protecting tourism economy assets across the Pacific Asia region.
About PATA
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to advancing a meaningful Pacific Asia tourism economy. Guided by its mission to share knowledge, enable networking, and protect tourism economy assets through innovation, collaboration, and adaptability, PATA brings together governments, industry leaders, academia, and communities to drive positive, lasting change. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Bangkok, the Association also has an official office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.