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Passage: Pacific Leisure founder Alwin Zecha

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BANGKOK, 13 March 2019: One of Asia’s pioneers in the tourism, Alwin Zecha, 82, died Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest. (See below an update on the funeral arrangements.)

A resident of Bangkok, he founded Pacific Leisure Group a regional travel company in 1970, pioneering both inbound and outbound travel as well establishing a division that provided representation and marketing to airlines and destinations across the Asia-Pacific region.

At the height of the company’s success, it had 24 offices across Asia, in the Middle East and the US. For decades his company represented the marketing interests of Hawaii, Macau and Munich plus scores of international airlines including Finnair and Canadian Pacific.

(Photo credit: Epochtimes)

Although Indonesian by birth, he was always proud of his world citizen credentials that included Dutch, Hong Kong nationality and later he was proud to be adopted by Thailand for services rendered to its tourism industry. I first met Alwin at the 25th Pacific Asia Travel Association conference in Honolulu in 1976. He was already a leading light in tourism mixing with the association’s inner circle mostly the CEOs of US airlines, cruise lines and major tour companies. 

Having graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA, he quickly became known as a stickler for details knowing by heart the rules governing PATA, but tempering knowledge with a clear vision he confidently forecast Asia would one day dominate global tourism.

In 1986, he became one of the first Asians to head PATA as its president, a post that was considerably more powerful than what it is today under the current designation of chairman.

He was instrumental in changing the name of PATA from Pacific Area Travel Association to Pacific Asia Travel Association and drawing China into its member ranks in 1992.

As a long-serving member of PATA’s executive committee, he also played a pivotal role in relocating the PATA head office from San Francisco to Bangkok in 1998.

PATA was always close to his heart but not at the expense of friendship. Whether you agreed or differed on the path forward in tourism, he valued debate never losing the love for a good argument as he drew on a Cuban cigar and mulled over your words through a cloud of smoke. Then more often than not, as the cigar haze clouded a smile, he would embark on a rebuttal that always made good sense.  

The media will remember him for being open, friendly and some times combative, but never apologetic. He represented an era when PATA pioneered tourism growth across the region, and its leaders demonstrated panache and good humour.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons.

UPDATE 13 March: The funeral will be held at 1300, Saturday, 16 March at Rangsit Methodist Church and crematorium. Bangkok friends can meet at the city’s Samitivej Hospital in Sukhumvit, where a bus will transfer mourners to the church departing at 1130.  Please contact the family or Pacific Leisure in advance re transport. 

Rangsit Methodist Church 5 Tambon Khlong Si, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Chang Wat Pathum Thani 12120.

Google Map link https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rangsit+Methodist+Church/@14.0037489,100.6700575,10.68z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xf30638e93f6e1d81!8m2!3d14.0538896!4d100.6951256

1 COMMENT

  1. Alwin was also one of the most helpful tourism VIPs assisting Thailand in its tourism promotions and development since the time of General Chalermchai Charuvastr who was the first director general of the Tourist Organisation of Thailand the founding father of tourism back in 1960 (Now TAT).

    R.I.P.

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