The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has launched its Total Tourism Survey, which will compile the views of travel and tourism professionals on issues that will affect the future of the industry.

PATA encourages all members of the travel industry to fill out the survey online, or by downloading and sending back the form as an attachment or fax.

The survey investigates all the modern issues directly or indirectly facing the travel industry, among them: peace negotiations, terrorism, EU expansion, a common Asian currency, bird flu, global warming, ageing populations, tourism as cultural protector or destroyer, the mass media�s coverage of crises, the impact of travel advisories, distribution technology, aviation, human resource challenges, domestic and regional tourism growth and whether the industry is ready to handle a large volume of traffic from India and China (PRC).

"The considered responses from Asia Pacific travel industry professionals will position the PATA Total Tourism Survey as the definitive 2005 trade report on travel in our region," said PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong. "All Asia Pacific travel industry stakeholders should fill out the survey," he said.

PATA aims to publish the results and analysis of the survey at the 54th PATA Annual Conference, April 17-21 in Macau.

The results will be made public by PATA for the benefit of the industry. "The full report will help many kinds of travel organisations plan strategies for the future," said Mr de Jong. "The survey�s results will influence how PATA delivers its services to the travel industry in the years to come."

Founded in 1951, PATA is the recognised authority on Asia Pacific travel and tourism. PATA's mission is to enhance the growth, value and quality of Asia Pacific travel and tourism for the benefit of its 1,000 member organisations which include airlines, national tourism offices, hotels, tour operators, travel distribution companies, and many others with a role in Asia Pacific travel.

Respondents who successfully complete the survey will be entered into a draw for prizes, including registration and accommodation for the PATA Annual Conference in Macau in April 2005 and in Pattaya, Thailand in April 2006.

Anybody working within the travel and tourism industry can take the survey by following this link: http://www.pata.org/patasite/index.php?id=1158.

For more information, contact: Ken Scott/David Gillbanks/Paveena Olansuksakul at PATA Communications on +662 658 2000 or email at communications@PATA.org

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ABOUT PATA Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is the recognised authority on Asia Pacific travel and tourism. PATA provides leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to dozens of PATA chapters worldwide.

PATA's mission is to enhance the growth, value and quality of Asia Pacific travel and tourism for the benefit of its membership. PATA is a not-for-profit organisation.

Find out more about PATA at www.PATA.org.