4 Feb, 2020

PATA CEO announces exit, leaving association facing 11-month transition in a critical period

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has come under fire for announcing the year-end departure of its CEO Mr Mario Hardy at a time when the regional travel industry is experiencing one of its worst crisis in history.

Mr Hardy made the announcement in his CEO blog on February 3, after the Executive Board meeting over the weekend in Bangkok. He said, “I have done what I have set out to achieve and thought I would stop months of speculation regarding my intention to stay with the organisation. This morning I have informed the PATA Executive Board that I will complete my current term with the Association in December and will not extend another term.”

He has set up a countdown clock and complimented himself in the process. “One of my strengths is merging/cross-pollinating key factors of success in one industry with those in another to drive innovation. I have come to be known for my ability to successfully reshape organisations and businesses in distress and look forward to my next venture either in tourism, in another sector, or to simply enjoy my life for a while.”

In a separate message to the membership, PATA Chairman Prof Chris Bottrill, said, “We have been fortunate to have Mario at the helm of this organisation as our industry and the Association has dramatically evolved and grown over the past few years. He has been especially effective in helping our Association transition its digital communications and operations effectively, and he has been a strong advocate for sustainability which, naturally, has become more critical to us all with the impending climate change challenges on our planet.”

Although Mr Hardy’s departure was expected, the timing left many members stupefied. Several emailed this editor to note that in addition to the crippling coronavirus crisis, the Association faces a string of important decisions in the months ahead.

In April, just a few months away, a new operational and administrative structure is to be unveiled after the Annual General Meeting in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. This will take time to settle in, especially in the early days when the revamp will need to be cemented in order to deliver results.

The annual PATA Travel Mart is to be held in Leshan, China, in September. If the coronavirus crisis does not abate soon, it may need to be moved. At this late stage, that’s not going to work in favour of the mart either.

PATA has also maintained total silence on the coronavirus crisis. The Executive Board meeting itself was conducted by videoconference as several members cancelled their trip to Bangkok. No statement or media release has been issued to indicate any PATA position or assistance activity. (Editor’s Note: Click here to see response from PATA on this.)

On Jan 30, as the virus infections were rising by the hundreds every day and travel was heading downhill, Mr Hardy issued this statement:

Prof Bottrill’s term as Chairman will also end after the AGM in April. His successor will be the vice-chairman, long-time PATA member Wong Soon Hwa who will have to supervise the search for a new CEO.

Finding a new CEO against the backdrop of internal transition and external volatility is going to be a tall order, members noted. “Prospective candidates will ask for total transparency about the association’s status, especially its financials,” said one member. “Moreover, he/she will assume office in Jan 2021 and take a few months to get his/her bearings right. That means PATA faces at least a year in limbo.”

“This announcement will not enhance confidence in the association, its decision-making structures or its future directions,” said one disappointed long-time member. “Mr Hardy is now a lame-duck CEO with no power to commit the organisation to anything. If the Association goes into ‘sleep’ mode over the rest of the year at a time when many members are facing financial stress, they will exit by the droves.”

One board member said he felt Mr Hardy, who travels extensively, will spend most of his time telling audiences about his “achievements”, as he did in his exit message.

“Sure, he put the finances in order. Apart from that, PATA is only doing what it was doing before – running a few events, selling research. There is no killer-punch initiative or activity that Mr Hardy can claim credit for.”

He added, “I find it mind-boggling that the Executive Board allowed his departure to be announced now. I don’t see any good coming out of it.”

PATA Communications Director Paul Pruangkarn declined comment.

Full text of Mr Hardy’s announcement

Dear PATA Members, Industry Partners and Media,

I was appointed Chief Executive Officer at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) almost 6 years ago with the goal of reshaping this now 69-year-old organisation, which at the time was struggling to stay relevant. PATA is now financially sustainable, steadily growing its reach, and thriving with new initiatives to support the sustainable development of the tourism industry.

I have done what I have set out to achieve and thought I would stop months of speculation regarding my intention to stay with the organisation. This morning I have informed the PATA Executive Board that I will complete my current term with the Association in December and will not extend another term.

I am proud of all the achievements the organisation has accomplished and the amazing support I have received from the staff at the secretariat, our Chair Dr Chris Bottrill, our members and industry partners.

I remain fully committed to the organisation and will work closely with our Chair and the Executive Board during the transition period. I will still be working hard for the organisation over the next 11+ months, and you can follow my countdown here: www.PATA.org/the-ceo-blog.

One my strengths is merging/cross-pollinating key factors of success in one industry with those in another to drive innovation. I have come to be known for my ability to successfully reshape organisations and businesses in distress and look forward to my next venture either in tourism, in another sector, or to simply enjoy my life for a while. Wherever I land you can be assured that I will continue to monitor the activities of the organisation, after all my own private company is still a fully paid PATA member.

However, in the meantime, we still have a lot to accomplish this year and many things to deal with in these challenging times.

Till next time,

Dr. Mario Hardy, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

Full text of PATA Chairman Prof Chris Bottrill’s announcement.

Dear PATA Members, Industry Partners and Media,

Greetings from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

On behalf of the PATA Board, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Dr. Mario Hardy for his leadership of our Association over the past 6 years as the CEO.

We have been fortunate to have Mario at the helm of this organisation as our industry and the Association has dramatically evolved and grown over the past few years. He has been especially effective in helping our Association transition its digital communications and operations effectively, and he has been a strong advocate for sustainability which, naturally, has become more critical to us all with the impending climate change challenges on our planet.

We are pleased that Mario will continue to work with us as we transition to a new CEO and we wish him all the best when he does leave our Association to new endeavours.

We will communicate our process for selecting a new CEO to members soon. This will be a transparent and competitive process to select the best candidate possible as we enter another period of dynamic change for our Association.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Chris Bottrill, Chairman, Pacific Asia Travel Association

 

Clarification from PATA on the coronavirus issue

PATA’s Director of Communications Paul Pruangkarn messaged me after publication of this story to clarify PATA’s actions on the coronavirus crisis. He said PATA did send a message to its members on Jan 29 regarding the coronavirus (posted here). “In fact we were the first major association to send out a message before UNWTO and WTTC.” Asked why it was not published on the PATA website, he responded: “A portion of it is posted on the website in the PATA Adventure Travel Conference and Mart event page. We also didn’t want to post it as the situation is constantly evolving daily.”