PATA Honours Industry Leaders at 71st Annual General Meeting

Picture: L/R: Andrew Jones, Guardian, Sanctuary Resorts, Hong Kong SAR, China and Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Macao, China.

BANGKOK, May 18, 2022 -- The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has recognised two individuals for their valuable contributions to the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region.

The PATA Life Membership and PATA Chair’s Award were presented during the 71st Annual General Meeting held online on Friday, May 13, 2022.

PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera said,” As we look towards the future of travel, it is always important to remember the past and recognise the individuals who have greatly contributed towards a more responsible travel and tourism industry. Their achievements should inspire us all to work harder for the swift recovery of travel and tourism. I would like to sincerely congratulate both for their valuable contributions and support to both PATA and the entire travel and tourism industry.”

PATA was honoured to announce that the PATA Life Membership was awarded to Andrew Jones, Guardian, Sanctuary Resorts, Hong Kong SAR, China. The award is the Association’s highest individual honour and recognises significant leadership and invaluable dedication to PATA.

Andrew Jones grew up in the hotel business as his parents managed Country Inns and Restaurants in the United Kingdom. Over the past 50 years, in the hospitality industry, he has worked in numerous senior management and corporate positions for prestigious hotels, resorts and management companies in London, Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, China, and across Asia. In 1996, Andrew embarked on a new journey. He founded and became the Guardian of Sanctuary Resorts a resort management company creating responsible and sustainable tourism experiences where people balance their body, mind, and spirit in an environmentally friendly space.

As part of his service to Industry, Andrew is a former Executive Board Member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Past Chairman of PATA, previous Vice Chairman of the Board, and Trustee for the PATA Foundation, and Advisor on CSR and Responsible and Sustainable Tourism. In addition, Andrew was previously a member of the World Travel Market World Responsible Tourism Day Advisory Panel, Board Member of the Indian Ocean Tourism Organization and Director, Asia Pacific Affairs for the International Hotel and Restaurant Association. He is a Certified Hotel Administrator of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, and Member of the Advisory Peer Group (APG), Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, Hong Kong Metropolitan University.

Andrew is a leading proponent of Corporate Social Responsibility and Wellness in Tourism, and is a knowledgeable Keynote Speaker, Moderator and Panellist on matters of Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, and Crisis Management at many Hotel, Environment and Social Enterprise Forums and Conferences, as well as at Universities and Vocational Schools. Andrew believes in directly contributing to the community in which he lives and is Chairman Emeritus of the KELY (Kid’s Everywhere Like You) Support Group, Happiness Ambassador for Planet Happiness, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Kowloon, and a supporter of numerous other Charitable organizations and Social Ventures in Hong Kong SAR, China.

The PATA Chair’s Award was presented to Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO). The Award, the personal gift of the serving PATA Chair, recognises an individual (or individuals) for their help, support, loyalty, and dedication during the Chair’s tenure.

“I am grateful and honoured for the trust and confidence in my work acknowledged with this award by the immediate past PATA Chair Soon-Hwa Wong. This is a recognition I must share with my team in Macao Government Tourism Office for the efforts made to keep our active engagement in PATA’s initiatives despite the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, I dedicate this accolade to the Macao tourism industry, as our support to PATA derives from the belief that by contributing to a more responsible industry in the Asia Pacific region, we are also helping to create a sound environment for Macao to develop as a safe and quality destination,” said Ms. Senna Fernandes.

Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes came on board the Marketing Department of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) in 1988, and throughout the years organised and participated in various local, Mainland and overseas tourism exhibitions, conferences, seminars and promotional activities. In September 1998, she became Deputy Director, carrying on her dedication to destination marketing, and was appointed as MGTO Director in December 2012, before receiving the Medal of Merit for Tourism from the Macao Special Administrative Region Government in 2016.

She is a current member of the following committees of the Macao SAR Government: Tourism Development Committee, Economic Development Committee, Cultural Development Consultative Committee, Urban Planning Committee and Investment Committee. She also acts as Macao SAR (China) Focal Point to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, as well as a current member of the Supervisory Board - Finance and Elections of PATA.