New CEO at PATA

PATA has appointed Mario Hardy as Chief Executive Officer, effective tomorrow (1 November 2014).

Prior to becoming CEO, Mr Hardy was Chief Operations Officer of PATA, a position he held since 15 January 2014.

Through the end of November, Mr Martin Craigs, the outgoing CEO, will fulfill his obligations made as CEO at various speaking engagements that have been confirmed, including the Brisbane Global Cafe – Tourism’s New Frontiers on Thursday, 13 November 2014, ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane, Australia.

PATA Chairman Scott Supernaw said, “The Executive Board is delighted that Mr Hardy has accepted this CEO appointment. In the short time he has been COO he has proven himself to be an effective and motivating leader. His management skills and creativity are what PATA needs to move the Association forward and regain its’ position as the leading organization providing sustainable and profitable travel and tourism services for our members.”

Mr Hardy is an entrepreneur with close to 30 years of combined leadership, corporate development and change management experience.

He is also the past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PATA Foundation, a non-profit organisation with a mission to contribute to the sustainable and responsible development of travel and tourism in Asia Pacific through the protection of the environment, the conservation of heritage and support for education.

Prior to PATA, Mr Hardy worked 14 years for UBM/OAG, a business with a focus on data analytics and events for the aviation sector, and occupied several leadership roles in London, Beijing and Singapore.

He began his career with People's Express Airlines in 1985, before joining Canadian Airlines in 1987 where he spent 12 years in a number of sales, marketing and operational roles, leading to his appointment in a senior management role heading the Group Sales & Charter division in 1997.

Mr Hardy has a BSc from the University of Montreal, a Public Relations Certificate from L'École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montréal and an International Trade Certificate from the O'Sullivan College of Montreal.