NINE-YEAR OLD FROM MALDIVES WINS PATA POSTER CONTEST

 In celebration of the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s (PATA’s) upcoming 50th anniversary, children from some 50 countries around the world were invited to submit drawings on the theme "Proud Past - Promising Future," celebrating 50 years of travel to Pacific Asia.

Miss Fathmath Elysha, a nine-year-old girl from Male, Maldives, created the winning entry, which was submitted by the PATA Maldives Chapter. The bright and imaginative poster will be used to promote PATA’s 50th anniversary celebrations during the next 18 months. Miss Elysha and a chaperone will travel courtesy of Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur, April 8-12, 2001, to accept her award on stage during the 50th PATA Annual Conference.

Ms. Rubida Islam, a nine-year-old from Dhaka, Bangladesh, is the second-place prize winner; her entry was submitted by the PATA Bangladesh Chapter. She will receive a US$600 cash prize. The PATA Malaysia Chapter entered the drawing of 10-year-old Lim Mei Tein from Penang, Malaysia, who takes third place and will receive US$400 in cash. Honourable mentions go to entries from Hawaii, Germany and Macau. All winners will also receive gifts from National Geographic Traveler magazine.

"We were pleased to see such talent and creativity in the entries," said Mr. Joseph A. McInerney, PATA CEO. "The future of our industry does indeed rest in the hands of children everywhere."

All winning entries will be displayed during the PATA Board of Directors meeting, January 12-14, 2001 in Honolulu, Hawaii.