BANGKOK, Dec. 30 --Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) today announced the launch of its Tsunami Recovery Fund. PATA is inviting PATA members, chapters, governments, tourist authorities, travel professionals and individual travellers to pledge money. The funds will be dedicated to a recovery programme for the benefit of tourism employees in Asia Pacific resort destinations affected by the disaster. With a strong focus on human resource development and training, the money pledged to the Fund will directly help rebuild skills and livelihoods of tourism employees. PATA President and CEO, Mr Peter de Jong said: "We want to help rebuild lives and hope in tourism communities devastated by the December 26 tragedy. Our focus will be on helping people recover confidence and livelihoods in Sri Lanka, Sumatra, southern Thailand, southeast India, the Maldives, northwest Malaysia, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Other institutions will rebuild physical infrastructure. Our Fund will be different. It will sow the seeds of human hope and long-term recovery in the tourism sector." To pledge money to the PATA Tsunami Recovery Fund, e-mail [email protected]. Or fill out the pledge form athttp://www.PATA.org/tsunami . This page also has in-depth information on Indian Ocean disaster and recovery news relating to the travel industry. About PATA Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is the recognised authority on Asia Pacific travel and tourism. PATA provides leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to dozens of PATA chapters worldwide. PATA's mission is to enhance the growth, value and quality of Asia Pacific travel and tourism for the benefit of its membership. PATA is a not-for-profit organisation. Find out more about PATA at http://www.PATA.org . Contact: Ken Scott/ Paveena Olansuksakul/ David Gillbanks The Pacific Asia Travel Association Tel: 66-2-658-2000 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE The Pacific Asia Travel Association --Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--