The appointment of Gregory Duffell as President and CEO of PATA has been confirmed by the Association's Board of Directors. Mr Duffell joins PATA from Bangkok-based Indochina Services Travel Group where he has worked as CEO since 2006 with responsibilities for operations in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia.

His extensive experience in the travel and tourism industry also includes the role of General Manager-Worldwide Network for the Thomas Cook Group, developing and implementing internet e-commerce solutions across 120 countries and 3000 agencies. He was also Regional Director - Asia Pacific for Budget Rent A Car, overseeing the opening of 200 franchise offices over an 11-year period.

After serving in the Royal Australian Air Force as a pilot he built a career in business development in Australia, the Middle East, UK and US. He has lived and worked in Asia for the past 20 years and speaks a number of Asian languages - including Thai.

"Importantly for us he speaks the PATA language and I know that Greg Duffell is the right choice to lead our Association as we seek to strengthen the Association whilst, at the same time, addressing a number of major challenges in 2009 and beyond," says interim President & CEO Brian Deeson. "Greg joins PATA in mid-January and we wish him every success." Brian Deeson remains the Association's interim CEO until Greg Duffell takes up his new duties.

PATA Chairman Janice Antonson has also welcomed the Board's endorsement. "The appointment of Greg Duffell as the new CEO of PATA is tremendous news for our staff, our members and the wider travel and tourism community. These are very challenging times and I am confident that Greg Duffell will prove to be an inspirational leader. The Board of PATA looks forward to welcoming him officially to his new role in January 2009", she says.