The PATA Life Membership Awards is given to nominated members who satisfied at least 8 requirements, including: being an active member of PATA for at least 10 years, being active at various levels of PATA, such as Chapter, Divisional and/or Board levels, has been cited for the quality of his/her contribution in tourism, professionally and within the individual’s community, and more. As a general rule, except for unusual situations, only one award is given in this category each year.

In PATA’s 70 years of history (as of the end of 2020), 119 members have been awarded this honour.

Especially during the week of International Women’s Day, we would like to acknowledge the contributions of Ms Margaret R. Wilson to travel and tourism. Her trailblazing work and continuous support of women in the industry have made a powerful difference to the global community.

About Margaret R. Wilson

Ms Margaret Wilson has been involved in the hospitality and tourism industry for 40 years and has been an active member of PATA since 1986. She is the Managing Director of CMW Management and had previously been the Director of Quick Service Restaurants, Director of Annapurna International, General Manager of Debrett’s Tours Australasia, General Manager of Swan Gold Tours, Managing Partner at Wandoo Hills Retreat, and Western Australian Branch Manager for the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC).

Ms Wilson served on the PATA Board from 1991-2008, the PATA Executive Board from 2005-2007, and chaired the PATA Honours Committee from 2017-2019. She was a member of the PATA Industry Council, where she served as the first female Chair from 2004-2007. In 2009, Ms Wilson received PATA Life Membership, as well as the Chairman’s Award. Later in 2012, she was awarded the Sir David Brand Medal for Tourism in Western Australia.

At the Chapter level, Ms Wilson was the Chair of the PATA Western Australia Chapter from 1991-2003, where she was made Life Member in 1999. Apart from her PATA commitments, Ms Wilson has been involved in several other Australian and international travel associations, advisory boards, and committees.

She is a great believer in giving back and says her passion for tourism is her driving force. As part of her dedication to supporting and encouraging women to women in the tourism and hospitality industry, Ms Wilson became the Founder and Chairperson of Women in Tourism & Hospitality - Western Australia (WITH_WA inc.).

Which was your most memorable PATA event and why?

The PATA Conference in Bali in 1991 was my most memorable PATA event. The tourism industry was challenged by a range of speakers, including Dr David Suzuki, to protect and preserve the culture and environment of the Pacific Asia region. They wanted to ensure that future developments would not damage or destroy the natural environment or the heritage and culture, but further enhance the sustainability of tourism in the region.

Who have you heard speak or met at a PATA event that either inspired you or/and positively affected your career?

I remember hearing Baroness Margaret Thatcher’s inspiring speech at the PATA Conference in 1993 in Hawaii. I was invited to attend a British Airways Gala Dinner in her honour and had the opportunity to speak with her. As the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister in the United Kingdom, Baroness Maggie Thatcher had a profound impact on me. It was empowering to see that women can achieve high office and leadership roles, even when faced with many the challenges - we just need to be given the opportunity!

1993: 42nd Annual Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii.Ambassador L.W. 'Bill' Lane presenting former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, keynote speaker at the 42nd Annual Conference, with the first copy of 'The Story of the Pacific Asia Travel Association… — 1993: 42nd Annual Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Ambassador L.W. 'Bill' Lane presenting former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, keynote speaker at the 42nd Annual Conference, with the first copy of 'The Story of the Pacific Asia Travel Association.'

Can you name a PATA project or initiative that made you really proud of being associated with the organisation?

I was very proud of being a PATA Member when the organisation first adopted the Code of Environmentally Sensitive Tourism at the 1991 Bali Conference, as well as when the organisation and APEC adopted the APEC/PATA Code for Sustainable Tourism in 2001. The Code reflects the original 1951 Charter of PATA, which sets out its fundamental commitment to what is now called sustainable development:

“…to encourage and assist in the development of travel industries throughout Pacific-Asia in a manner which recognise the importance to practice an environmental ethic that supports responsible conservation and restoration of Pacific Asia’s unique combination of natural, social and cultural resources”

At this time in history, as we celebrate PATA’s 70th Anniversary, the Code is more relevant than ever as we look to rebuilding the Pacific Asia Tourism industry post-COVID-19.

I was also very proud when PATA finally after 50 years awarded Life Membership to a woman, the inspiring Shirin Walji from Pakistan!!

What do you like most about being a PATA member?

I’ve often been asked why - when you are from a very small organisation in Perth Western Australia - are you a member of PATA?

I was the new kid on the block from a very small company when I joined in 1986 and was in awe of the leaders and the size and strength of PATA. It was at my first PATA Conference in Singapore in 1989 where I met and developed many friendships which have lasted to this day.

PATA became my university and I’m still learning from visionaries past and present.

I had the opportunity to sit around a dinner table many times after a day at the conference and listen to people who became educators and mentors to me, including: Alwin Zecha, Dean Chuck Gee, Tunku Iskandar, Tan Chee Chye, Inder Sharma, Shirin Walji, John Rowe, Kevin Murphy, J.P. Sho, Nobutaka Ishikure, Kusa Panyarachun, Luzi Matzig, Hiran Cooray, and many others.

When I became the first female Chair of the PATA Industry Council, I was daunted by this fact. But I had the confidence and support of the leadership, so I was able to learn from and grow my understanding of the cultural differences and opinions - a necessary part of achieving consensus when chairing a very diverse Industry Council.

For me, PATA was, and continues to be, more than just a tourism organisation aimed at providing business opportunities for the members; it’s more than that. PATA provided me with the opportunity to travel to many destinations in the Asia Pacific region, to experience, learn from, and enjoy the friendship of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds - and to be inspired by the incredible natural environment that we have in the region and that are committed to protect.

Most of all, it has been the people who are PATA - not just the organisations or destinations who are members. PATA was vital and very relevant at its inception in 1951, post-WWII, and it’s even more so today - especially when we are facing the biggest challenge for the tourism industry in my lifetime from the impacts of COVID-19.

It has been my honour and privilege to be a PATA Member, Executive Board Member, Board Member, Industry Council Member and Chair, and especially to be a PATA Life Member.

I hope to be around to attend the 80th Anniversary of PATA in 2031!

As we celebrate International Women's Day this week, are there any advice you would like to offer young females?

My mantra has always been ‘Show up and Don’t Give up.’ So, I would say to young females: always show up and have a voice; even if you are not heard at first, persevere and don’t give up.

Following up on the last question, what can we do as a travel community to support ambitious young females trying to achieve big in the tourism industry?

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2021 with the theme ‘Choose to Challenge,’ it’s time that the tourism industry embraced the challenge to make change happen and ensure that there is gender equality across all sectors. Organisations like PATA can play a pivotal role in encouraging and supporting young women by providing mentorship to motivate, inspire, and empower them to achieve their ultimate career goals.

Young women in the tourism industry also need a platform - a safe place to discuss the issues and challenges they face in a world that is rapidly changing and where the old gender stereotypes are gradually disappearing in many countries. The tourism industry should also support young women for leadership roles and advocate on their behalf for greater representation in policy and decision-making in both the private and public sectors.

Now, more than ever, in a post COVID-19 world, we need to ensure the sustainability of the tourism industry. So, we must nurture and support the next generation, especially young women who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

Story Time! A Hilarious Incident in PATA Annual Conference in Singapore:

I recall a keynote speaker, a diplomat from USA, at a PATA Conference in Singapore, who read the wrong speech which spoke of where the missiles were located and which countries they could nuke! This was hilarious to many, but it was an embarrassment to our friends and colleagues from USA!