Brian Deeson the new Chairman of PATA

Shanghai-based hotel chief Mr Brian Deeson has been appointed as the new Chairman of PATA, following the PATA Board of Directors Meeting and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Vancouver, Canada, last weekend.

Speaking at the AGM, Mr Deeson, who is CEO, Greater China and Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific for the Accor hotel group, highlighted global warming and the shortage of human resources as two of the biggest challenges facing the industry today.

"There is a huge gap emerging between the explosive growth in tourism infrastructure and the available pool of trained personnel," said Mr Deeson. "And global warming is no longer a problem that can be left for tomorrow's generation. We need to address it today."

Mr Deeson said he fully supported the change agenda adopted by PATA under the leadership of President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong. "It is crucial that we continue to evolve as an Association to remain a "must-join" proposition to today's travel and tourism organisations."

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