PATA apologises to Ktk govt over distorted map of India

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has apologised to Karnataka government for publishing a distorted map of India in an advertisement in a Malaysian magazine, showing part of Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East missing from it.
In a letter to Karnataka Tourism Minister R V Deshpande, PATA CEO Mario Hardy said, "On behalf of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), I would like to apologise for the inclusion of the wrong map image used in one of our advertisements."
He said the image was used in good faith to highlight where Karnataka is in relation to the country of India for those who may not be familiar with the country. "The image was supposed to be a general representation of India and not to be taken as an actual map of your great and hospitable country," he said.

"However upon learning of the issue, we took immediate steps to rectify and have the artwork replaced with more appropriate images on all our media partners where the advertisement was placed," he added.
The BJP, which pointed out the lapse yesterday, had sought an explanation from the Congress government in the state.
Deshpande had yesterday said the government was not responsible for the lapse since the advertisements were released by the agencies contracted for the event. He had raised objection with PATA in this regard.
Hardy in his letter to Deshpande also said that "....We will be sure that in the future that any images used will be what is provided or approved by your department."

PATA Travel Mart, an annual PATA signature event and a premier travel trade show in the Asia Pacific region, is being held here in September. PATA is coming to Bengaluru for the first time, and for the third time to India.