Cultural and Environmental Themes Dominate 2007 PATA Gold Awards

Cultural heritage and environmental tourism are the dominant themes of the winning entries in this year's Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards announced Wednesday. 

The four "best-of-show" Grand Awards will go to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in the Marketing category; the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) for Heritage; Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Thailand for the Environment; and Jetwing Hotels, Sri Lanka for Education & Training.

Open to both PATA and non-PATA members, this year's awards attracted a record total of 339 entries from 132 travel and tourism organisations. In addition to the four Grand Awards, there were 24 Gold Awards, with multiple awards going to Chaaya Hotels & Resorts, Kerala Tourism and Tourism Malaysia.

The winners will be honoured at a special luncheon during the PATA Travel Mart 2007 in Bali on September 28.

The PATA Gold Awards are sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office.

MGTO Director Mr João Manuel Costa Antunes said, "By sponsoring this leading travel awards program for twelve years, we believe we are helping to provide the chance for new ideas and products to stand out and be recognised, thus contributing to the development of the tourism industry in the region, something that is a source of great pride for us."

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