JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa Wins 2003 PATA Grand Award for Environment Education Program

JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa has won the 2003 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Grand Award for Environment Education Program for its Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation.

During it's grand opening celebrations in March last year, the resort launched the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation with an initial donation of US$45,000 (2 million baht) and will continue to raise funds for the Foundation as well as gain awareness on an international and national level about the plight of these magnificent reptiles and the wonderful work done by the local Mai Khao villagers who have been protecting the turtles for many years.

The PATA honours include three "best of show" Grand Awards and 28 Gold Awards. The Grand Awards recognize exceptional achievement in a variety of endeavors, bringing acclaim to some of the best the region's travel industry has to offer.

The winners were chosen from over 310 entries and judged by a panel of international experts in each category. Presentation of the Grand Awards will take place at the opening ceremony of the PATA Annual Conference on April 14 in Bali.