Pacific Asia Travel Association Boosts Asia Pacific Tourism Leadership With Five New Executive Board Appointments

Binoy Mehera

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has strengthened their leadership framework by adding five exceptional tourism professionals to their Executive Board. The Board now has improved representation from governmental organizations as well as destination management and travel industry stakeholders from the Asia Pacific region.

The newly elected and appointed board members are:

• Ms. Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority, USA — appointed as Secretary/Treasurer
• Mr. Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, APAC, Booking.com, Singapore — appointed as Executive Board Member
• Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director, Visit Maldives Corporation, Maldives — appointed as Executive Board Member
• Mr. Alhasan Aldabbagh, President, APAC, Saudi Tourism Authority, Saudi Arabia — appointed as Non-Voting Executive Board Member
• Mr. Suman Pandey, Group Chairman, Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, Nepal — appointed as Non-Voting Executive Board Member

The appointments mark another step in PATA’s mission to unite diverse voices from across the Asia Pacific tourism ecosystem. While Ms. Chun, Mr. Yang and Mr. Shiuree were elected to the Executive Board, Mr. Aldabbagh and Mr. Pandey have joined as non-voting members, contributing their extensive knowledge and strategic experience to the association’s future direction.

Representing key areas such as tourism research, digital travel, destination marketing, hospitality development and adventure tourism, the new board members bring valuable expertise from some of the region’s most influential tourism markets and organisations.

With this expanded leadership team, PATA continues to reinforce its focus on collaboration, innovation and sustainable tourism development. The latest additions highlight the association’s commitment to creating a stronger platform for industry cooperation while reflecting the evolving priorities and opportunities of the Asia Pacific travel sector.

“We are delighted to welcome Jennifer, Yang, Ibrahim, Alhasan and Suman to the PATA Executive Board,” said Henry Oh, Chairman, PATA. “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.”

Ms. Jennifer Chun, appointed as Secretary/Treasurer, will bring her strong background in tourism research, destination strategy and industry development to PATA’s leadership team. As Director of Tourism Research at the Hawaii Tourism Authority, she has played an active role in advancing data-driven tourism insights and has maintained close involvement with PATA through various programmes and initiatives.

Mr. Yang Li joins the Executive Board with deep expertise from the digital travel industry through his role as Head of Public Affairs, APAC at Booking.com in Singapore. His knowledge of technology, online travel platforms and changing traveller behaviours will support PATA’s efforts to help members adapt to the evolving global tourism environment.

Representing Visit Maldives Corporation, Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree adds valuable destination management experience from one of Asia Pacific’s most recognised island tourism markets. His insights will strengthen PATA’s engagement with destination authorities and highlight the opportunities and challenges faced by island economies dependent on tourism.

Mr. Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC at Saudi Tourism Authority, contributes extensive expertise in international tourism promotion, destination growth and global market development. His appointment enhances PATA’s regional representation while strengthening connections between Asia Pacific tourism stakeholders and the broader international travel community.

Mr. Suman Pandey, Group Chairman of Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, continues his long association with PATA through his role as a non-voting Executive Board member. With years of contribution to the organisation and leadership experience within the tourism sector, he brings valuable knowledge of adventure travel, experiential tourism and emerging destination opportunities.

Following these appointments, PATA’s Executive Board consists of:

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 Member

• Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA

The newly strengthened Executive Board will work under the leadership of Chairman Henry Oh to advance PATA’s strategic goals, including expanding industry collaboration, sharing tourism knowledge, strengthening professional networks and supporting the long-term resilience of tourism economies across the Pacific Asia region.