PATA 70th Anniversary: Looking Back From the Eyes of Tan Chee Chye
The PATA Life Membership Awards is given to nominated members who satisfied at least 8 requirements, including: being an active member of PATA for at least 10 years, being active at various levels of PATA, such as Chapter, Divisional and/or Board levels, has been cited for the quality of his / her contribution in tourism, professionally and within the individual’s community, and more. As a general rule, except for unusual situations, only one award is given in this category each year.
In PATA’s 70 years of history (as of May 2021), 120 members have been awarded this honour.
About Tan Chee Chye
Chye has over 50 years experience in the travel and tourism industry, including being on the board of directors for travel related companies, trade associations (such as PATA), numerous task forces, and committee. He is the founder of World Express, a pioneer member of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, where he served as a board member for several terms. He was previously the President of Singapore Travel Agents Association (1968/71) and the President of SKAL Club, Singapore (1971). Chye has been actively engaged in PATA for nearly 60 years as member, Board Member and chaired several committees; he was also a significant member of the Chiang Mai Taskforce that helped to develop Chiang Mai Airport. Chye joined PATA in 1962 and received his life member honour in 1996, over 30 years after being engaged with the association.
I was the Conference Chair of 2004 PATA Annual Conference in Jeju, Korea (ROK). There were in total 2,145 attendees, the largest number of conference delegates in the history of PATA (physical) Conference.
2004: Annual Conference, Jeju Island, Korea (ROK)
I met a member of the Chiang Mai Task Force at one of PATA’s events and he inspired me the most.
PATA initiated a program for expanding the Chiang Mai airport back in 1975. The Thai Government accepted the proposal in expanding and developing the Chiang Mai Airport to become then the secondary airport to Bangkok. I was proud of that project.
I joined PATA in 1962, so I am definitely one of the “older members.“ I enjoy my long-standing membership and appreciate some great friendship I have forged through PATA, even up to this day!
1996: PATA Awards recipients at the 45th Annual Conference, Bangkok.
L/R: Lakshman Ratnapala, President & CEO; Keizo Furuta; Shirin S. Walji; Tan Chee Chye; Tunku Iskandar; Michael Paulin, Chairman.
