To connect the next generation with the tourism industry and its current professionals, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has introduced a new membership category.

This new membership category strengthens our commitment to raise the voices of tomorrow’s tourism leaders.

Students between the ages of 18 and 35 who are enrolled in a certified educational institution are eligible for the Young Tourism Professional student membership. The new category comes as the United Nations has designated 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

“As we embrace 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the development of Young Tourism Professionals is our primary focus,” PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy said in a press release. “This new membership category strengthens our commitment to raise the voices of tomorrow’s tourism leaders.”

Those who become student members will have access to PATA’s events and conferences, training sessions, and Young Tourism Professional related activities for free or at a discounted student rate. They will also benefit from PATA’s internship program, publications, scholarships, and coworking space.

In the future, PATA hopes to expand the student membership program to include access to a careers page where students can post resumes and apply for open job positions, as well as the ability to participate in a mentorship program.

“I encourage all students looking to grow their respective networks, insights, and careers to join us and work with us to develop a more responsible and sustainable travel and tourism industry within the Asia Pacific region and beyond,” Hardy said.

PATA created the student membership program with the help of its current and past intern associates and its student chapters, which are located around the world and connect students at PATA member educational institutions.

The focus on its Youth Tourism Professionals is PATA’s way of supporting the UN’s International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, which seeks to promote sustainable tourism to drive inclusive economic and social development around the world. The UN is looking to engage governments, as well as international and regional organizations—like PATA—to accomplish its goal.

“The 2030 Agenda considers sustainable tourism as a vector of development, job creation, and the promotion of local culture and products,” Alfonso María Dastis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, said at an event launching the year. “Tourism is part of the Sustainable Development Goals and contributes decisively to almost all 17 Goals through its impacts on fighting poverty, promoting decent jobs, improving gender equality and the livelihoods of young people, or the fight against climate change.”

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