Tan Kok Liang has taken over the mantle from Pauline Suharno as the
president of The Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA), as the
former FATA president steps down to continue supporting the association
as its deputy president.
Tan, renowned for his leadership in Malaysian tourism, aims to steer
ASEAN tourism to new heights from 2024 to 2026 as FATA’s new president.
Expressing gratitude for Suharno's tenure,
Tan commended her post-pandemic efforts, pledging to build on her
legacy. FATA, representing over 7,700 travel agents, plays a vital role
in Southeast Asian tourism.
Tan's extensive experience, including leadership roles in Malaysian
tourism, positions him well to propel FATA forward. His vision
encompasses rejuvenating ASEAN tourism post-Covid, leveraging
international trade shows and promoting diverse destinations.
He champions Thailand's joint-visa proposal, foreseeing a surge in intra-ASEAN travel. Tan aims to spotlight hidden gems and collaborate with airlines like Air Asia to make ASEAN travel affordable and enticing.
FATA under Tan's leadership aims to foster intra-ASEAN business
opportunities, benchmarking policies and extending membership to other
Asian nations.
Joining Tan in his endeavours are Pauline Suharno of The Indonesian
Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO) as the deputy president, Evangeline
Manotok of Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) as the honorary
treasurer and Charles Tan of the National Association of Travel Agents
Singapore (NATAS) as the honorary secretary general.