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The Society of Polish American Travel Agents, SPATA began its' history on August 18, 1959, in New York City by Messrs. Boleslaw Laszewski and Bronislaw Wegiel.
In September of the same year the first annual convention of SPATA was held in the Big Apple and was attended by 15 travel agency owners of Polish Heritage primarily from the East
Coast.
Over the 44 year history of SPATA, membership has grown to over 150 active and associate member agencies, airlines, tour operators and firms with direct ties to promoting
tourism to Poland, Central Europe and the former Soviet Countries.
The original goals of SPATA have since been expanded and have taken its' members in various directions to achieve new goals due to the changing times. Some of the original aims of
the founding members were to maintain the best traditions of tile travel business, to improve the standards and good name of the travel industry; to follow the highest moral and
ethical standards of conduct within the industry; to promote tourism to Poland, the countries of Eastern Europe, and elsewhere; all of which are continued today with new goals set into
motion over the years.
Patriotism and close relations with Poland has always been the driving force of all members and these common goals have enabled this unique organization to thrive for over four
decades.
SPATA and its members have been important partners and played an important role in many struggles involving Poland's tourism industry especially during the times of martial law in
the 1980's, at which time Lot Polish Airlines, the national airline of Poland was banned from operating flights to the United States by President Ronald Reagan and influential in the
reinstatement of Lot's air traffic rights between Poland and the USA.
During the annual conventions of SPATA tile active members prepare formal resolutions regarding the industry as a whole. Over 10 years ago, SPATA'S idea to rename the Okecie
International Airport in Warsaw Poland to Fryderyk Chopin was born. Since that time , SPATA has repeated the call to the government of Poland via its annual resolutions. Finally in
January of 2001, SPATA'S idea came to life: renaming of the airport by the Polish Government in ceremonies at the airport.
Presently SPATA is working with the Polish Tourism Organization with regard to maintaining and expanding the role of the Polish National Tourist Office in New York which is the one
and only official representation in North America. Over the past couple of years the office's existence has been put in jeopardy of closing due to budget cuts and most recently by the
tragic incidents of September 11, 2001.
SPATA works very closely with various tourism organizations in Poland of which the most important ties are with the Polish Chamber of Tourism. Various members of the board and the
organization take part in each others conventions. These meetings in addition to ongoing work throughout the year allow both organizations to work for the cause of tourism between
Poland and the United States.
SPATA, a not-for-profit organization, has over the years been an important source of help to various charitable organizations in the US, Poland and various countries where the need
arose. Monetary donations as well as care packages have been distributed to the Polish Army Veterans in Vilnius, Lithuania; Polish Boy Scouts in the US; Polish Veterans in New Jersey,
flood victims in Poland and most recently to the US Red Cross for the victims of the World Trade Center Tragedy. All this was possible with the help of members and friends in the
airline industry and freight forwarding companies.
SPATA hosts a number of activities throughout the year. During the month of September and October of each year, SPATA holds its' annual conventions in different parts of the world,
such as, Poland, Brazil, Italy, Finland, Bermuda, and most recently Mexico, and invites representatives from various Tourist Offices, airlines, as well as government officials. The
convention allows opportune time for active members to conduct business during closed meetings. Our partners from the airlines, tourism industry and government agencies present their
products during a trade presentation and have ample opportunity to discuss business one-on-one.
SPATA semi-annual meetings on the East coast and Midwest are planned in the winter months giving ample time and opportunity for members to prepare for the upcoming spring and summer
travel seasons. On a less formal note, Christmas gatherings are planned in New York, Chicago, and Toronto. A traditional "Oplatek" sharing of wafer and extending holiday
greetings are an important part of our Polish Heritage. A number of FAM Trips are planned throughout the year for members and families to help us stay in touch and expand on our
hiendships.
All Members of SPATA thank the founding members for such a wonderful opportunity and tradition and we look forward to our Golden Anniversary.
SPATA'S GOALS
The Society of Polish American Travel Agents (SPATA) was created by founding members to promote the following aims:
- to maintain the best traditions of the travel business;
- to improve the standards and good name of the travel business;
- to follow the highest moral and ethical standards of conduct;
- to represent the interests of SPATA agents before carriers and other travel trade industries;
- to promote tourism to Poland, the countries of Eastern Europe and elsewhere;
- to faster the cooperation and solidarity of members, to maintain mutual assistance among members, and to eliminate misunderstanding and all unnecessary and unfair competition.
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