Hardy gets PATA’s top post

BANGKOK Pacific Asia Travel Association confirmed, Thursday, the appointment of Mario Hardy as chief executive officer, effective 1 November.
He takes over in a year when the association declared a fiscal surplus for the first time in years, but it very likely that 2015 will be a tough year for the association to repeat that feat, considering the poor performance of hallmark events such as the PATA Travel Mart.
Visiting ITB Asia, earlier this week, Hardy was promoted from the post of chief operations officer a position he has held since last January.
Mario Hardy
Mario Hardy
His promotion was approved by the PATA Executive Board at its meeting in Phnom Penh last September and will be endorsed by the full PATA Board at the next annual general meeting in April 2015.
Martin Craigs, who resigned during the PATA Travel Mart in Phnom Penh will continue various speaking engagements that were alresdy confirmed, including the Brisbane Global Cafe – Tourism’s New Frontiers, 13 November just ahead of theG20 Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane, Australia.
PATA Chairman Scott Supernaw said: “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.”
Mr Hardy has been associated with PATA since 2009 as a member.
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.
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. He has over 10 years experience working in Asia.

sourced:ttrweekly.com