New York – The travel group Pacific Asia Travel Association will adapt ways to maintain its presence in the travel industry, among them going digital.
Newly elected chairperson Joebert Opulencia said that in his watch, PATA New York will be digitally accessible to members. It will hold monthly webinars on destination updates.
To make the group more cohesive, Opulencia said that he will continue the Dine-around Program which was started in 2021 where members could enjoy a meal together in select Asian restaurants.
There will also be a yearly recognition of active members who have contributed to improve the association.
PATA New York is the local chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. Formed in 1962, it is one of the oldest, most successful, and active chapters.
Members comprise of Travel Agents – Tourist Boards – Tour Operators – Magazine Editors and Publishers – Public Relations and Advertising Executives – Trade Show Organizers – Airlines – Cruise Lines – Hotels & Resorts – Incentive & Meeting Planners.
The Chapter provides valuable insights, forecasts, and analysis to help members make better business decisions.
An educational forum for travel agents, incentive and meeting planners are designed to increase product knowledge.
For suppliers and tourist boards, the Chapter offers a targeted client base to be able to market efficiently and economically.
BOARD OFFICERS & DIRECTORS 2022-2023
CHAIRMAN – JOEBERT OPULENCIA – Tour Operator
I established ORIENTOURS in 1986, specializing in leisure and M.I.C.E. groups traveling to Asia & the Pacific, and inbound groups to USA, Canada, and Mexico from Turkey. As a pioneering figure in the Travel Industry worldwide, I continued to lead its operations, showing remarkable resilience and adaptability, despite several market challenges that have become the new normal. My success could be attributed to a business philosophy that places a premium on keeping my word.
As a business leader, I have the knowledge and expertise needed to help NY PATA make sound business choices. With my professional resources, I can contribute to our Chapter in the travel recovery with innovation and sponsored events.
Joebert Opulencia
President
ORIENTOURS CO., LTD.
29 West 46th Street, 3/FLR
New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 973-1777 – M (646) 361-3777
orientoursnyc@gmail.com
VICE-CHAIRMAN – CATHERINE HEALD – Tour Operator
I have been a member of PATA since I co-founded Remote Lands in 2006. I have founded and served as co-founder and CEO of four technology and travel companies since 1989 in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, San Francisco, and New York. After living in Hong Kong from 1987-94, I have traveled all over Asia, which I consider the world’s most fascinating continent. I am an Asiaphile who is endlessly curious and continuously seeks to understand every facet of Asian culture and history and lifestyles of Asia. I have devoted my life and career to this massive and complex continent. At Remote Lands we create unique itineraries with a particular interest in ultra-luxe and off-the-beaten-path Asia.
I consider myself a global executive and would like to think that my international expertise would be valuable to NY PATA.
Catherine Heald
Co-Founder and CEO
Remote Lands, Inc.
120 East 56h Street, Suite 1600
New York, NY 10022
646-415-8092
catherine.heald@remotelands.com
SECRETARY – KELLI ANN MILLS – Cruise
After attending school for travel and tourism, I began a 20+ year career in the travel industry in a local travel agency. Since then, I have held various roles from travel advisor, agency owner and business development in retail/host agencies before finding my home at Hurtigruten.
Having led various travel advisor FAM groups with Hurtigruten in different areas of the world, I live to help travel advisors find their guests the perfect Hurtigruten experience to match their personal travel goals. I have exhibited multiple times at NY PATA Trade Shows and got to meet many of our members. I can contribute to our Chapter by being able to bring that same enthusiasm to continue to promote, support and grow the goals of NY PATA.
Kelli Ann Mills
Hurtigruten
Sales Director, Northeast and Midwest, the Americas
The World Leader in Exploration Travel
908-340-8972
Kelli.mills@hurtigruten.com
TREASURER – IRENE SINO – Tour Operator
I have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, being the founder of Panorama Travel – one of the most reputable and reliable tour operators in the US located in NYC. With my extensive airline relations experience, I also hold the position of Picasso Travel VP of Airline Relations.
I have extensive experience serving on several executive boards including NY PATA where I served for two years. I can confidently state that I have a broad knowledge and expertise in most of the areas of national and international travel business.
Panorama Travel organizes and conducts a wide range of familiarization trips for travel agents on regular basis. I strongly believe that my out-of-box way of thinking, creative approach to business solutions and meticulous attention to details will be beneficial for New York PATA.
Irene Sino
Panorama Travel
65 W 36th Street, #302
New York, NY 10018
Tel: 212-244-0730
isino@panoramatravel.com
BOARD MEMBER – JOHN C. GRAHAMN – Media
I started my travel media career in 1989 with OAG Travel Magazines. At Travel Agent magazine I helped create the Cruise/Tour Expo shows in 1995. I also wrote a bi-monthly column and was Advertising Director for Travel Agent International. I was Executive Publisher at Travel Trade
Publications and Trade Shows. In February 2018, Steve Perillo, CEO of Perillo Tours and I launched Travel World VR.
We are the leading producers for travel 360/VR videos and the leading distribution platform. I propose to educate and assist our members on VR production and viewing. I am offering a discount, and I will give free Travel World Virtual Reality headsets to view VR videos on the Travel World VR app. It is no longer a luxury. 360/VR for tourism is the future of the travel industry.
John C. Graham
President
Travel World VR
203-984-4827
johng@travelworldvr.com
www.travelworldvr.com
johng@travelworldvr.com
BOARD MEMBER – JULIAN BANEGAS – Travel Advisor
I started my Journey in the Travel Industry in 1985 with Pan American World Airways and gained experience in tour operations, wholesale, and corporate travel. I am an expert in Jewish Heritage Tours, and also in Air & Product Development. Also, I’ve been with Trafalgar Travel for 15-years as supervisor. I serve as president of the Sociedad Honduras New York Inc.
As a NY PATA member and travel advisor, I’ve gained knowledge on many Asian destinations and discovered a new path of destinations in Asia-Pacific for my clients. I consider our Chapter my extended family. I have a passion for the NY PATA mission and ready to contribute to our Chapter by serving on the Board and renewing travel trade relations in the post-pandemic era.
Julian Banegas
Gil Travel and Kenes Tours
Manager Groups and Operations, NYC Branch Office
Main Office Number: 215-568-6655-ext 377 | M 914-707-1507
julianb@giltravel.com
julianbanegas@aol.com
BOARD MEMBER – FRANK HRYSZKANICH – Travel Advisor
I have been a travel agent for over twenty years. I’m a host agency and consistently deal with travel supplier reps and a large number of independent travel advisors. I have been doing monthly travel seminars for over fifteen years with my own association called the’ “Association of Home-Based Travel Agents”. My professional contacts with the cruise industry that participates in my travel agency’s monthly seminars, can be an asset to NY PATA in developing the Cruise category.
I have the motivation and ability to enhance the success and growth of our Chapter. I am 100%
into learning. I propose to do education, training, and trade shows, which I really enjoy doing.
Frank Hryszkanich
Travel, Ports & Voyages, LLC
(Association of Home-Based Travel Agents)
293 Austin Ave.
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Tel: 732-251-1775
www.tpvp.com
FRANKH@TPVP.COM
BOARD MEMBER – BORIS MIKETIC – Travel Advisor
I am the President of Boris Worldwide Travel (a.k.a. Croatia Travel) for 30 years, located in Queens, NY. I have traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, enjoying the food and culture tremendously. I’ve had good experiences flying on the many carriers to Asia particularly, first class on Hainan Airlines, first-class suite on SQ Singapore Airlines, and apartment-suite with shower on EY Etihad Airways.
I’ve attended the PATA Travel Marts 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and 2018 in Langkawi, Malaysia. In Jakarta, it was an honor to have afternoon tea with PATA chairman. Meeting and connecting with people seem to be my strength. I will work tirelessly to promote our Chapter and its values, and to increase membership with enthusiasm.
Boris Miketic
Boris Worldwide Travel
110-59 64 Road, Forest hills, New York 11375
718-726-6700 | 800-662-7628
www.croatiatravel.com
bjmike@gmail.com
HONORARY BOARD MEMBER – Akbal Setia
Vice-President, Americas
Tourism Malaysia
“Let’s work together for the betterment of PATA NY Chapter.”
Akbal Setia
Tourism Malaysia
akbalsetia@tourism.gov.my
IMMEDIATE PAST-CHAIRMAN – Honorary Life Member – Elizabeth Chin
Restarting Travel in the New Normal technology | innovation c education |sustainability
ECI Travelworld | Executive Global Tours
Email: ecitravel@aol.com
For more information, press only:
PR Contact Name – JOEBERT OPULENCIA
Phone number – 646 361 3777 (A press release by PATA New York)
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