Founder Message
Dear Asia Pacific Onboard Travel Organization (APOT) members and industry leaders,
I am excited to share the incredible journey that APOT has undertaken since its inception in 2010. APOT was born with the aim of providing a platform for regional airline industry leaders to network, communicate industry trends, and fulfill educational needs. Over the years, we have become the premier organization of its kind in the Asia Pacific region, boasting more than 700 members from around the world.
The concept of APOT and its unique forum conference was initiated by Ms. Heather Cho, VP of Inflight Service Delivery at Korean Airlines, and Mr. Peter Smith, Chairman of Alpha Flight Services. They encouraged me to move forward with this organization and the innovative forum conference concept. It was with great pleasure and a sense of purpose that we gave birth to this great organization.
APOT grew rapidly due to our commitment to doing things differently. We believe in connecting our members not just for business opportunities but also to foster personal connections and create a sense of camaraderie. Over the years, we have successfully brought industry individuals together, strengthening their relationships and taking their businesses to new heights.
One of the highlights of APOT is our annual Forum, where we gather in a chosen location to discuss the future of our industry. During these forums, our members stay together and engage in various networking sessions. As leaders in this type of forum, APOT offers educational and networking opportunities that are highly valued by our delegates.
Currently, our organization is collaborating with numerous tourism organizations to expand travel to Asia’s untouched destinations and facilitate direct flights to these rural areas. We believe in the importance of connecting and promoting these hidden gems of Asia, offering unique travel experiences to our members and travelers alike.
As a non-profit organization, APOT offers memberships to leaders in the tourism, travel, hospitality and freight industries. We are grateful for the support of our valuable sponsors, who enable us to provide the best possible services and generate more business opportunities for their ventures.
We extend a warm welcome to all industry leaders to join APOT and be part of our dynamic community. Together, let’s continue to shape the future of this great industry, foster connections, and create lasting partnerships.
Best regards,
Keerthi Hapugasdeniya (HappyK)
Founder and CEO, Asia Pacific Onboard Travel Organization (APOT)
WHO can be involved in APOT.Asia
Below is a list of groups who are currently involved in the organisation and who can also benefit from services offered by APOT.Asia
APOT.Asia consists of people involved in and around the Travel, Tourism and Airline industry in the Asia Pacific region
The benefits for travel industry
Why we need APOT
The time is right
In the Airline world, the Asia Pacific Airlines maintain a very high standard of In-flight Services. It is now for time the region meet more frequently at a common place; To help build a better relationship among our region with their business partners and associates. It is also important that the group meet up in this region to promote each other’s products, locations and destinations.
The Industry needs it
The aim of the APOT.Asia organisation is to make our region more attractive to its visitors and to help promote our products and locations to the many businesses around the world. The organisation is designed to share & educate, discuss new ideas, network & listen to vibrant & successful business people who make up the industry. APOT.Asia aims to provide a social environment by keeping events more relaxed and entertaining and memorable among its members.
Its time to do things differently
Having only conferences are not the way to exchange new ideas, in Asia Pacific we must do things differently.
Forums are to be held once a year at a leisurely destination. Not in a business hub! Product and design suppliers will have the opportunity to display and showcase their products to a larger selected audience.
We also realise the importance of having related industries such as tourism travel agents, sales teams and others from the hotel sector, this will pose an excellent opportunity for our on board customers who will surely take advantage of.
The members should treat this forum as educational, relaxed, entertaining and networking.