PATA GOLD AWARDS MARK THE BEST OF PACIFIC ASIA

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the launch of its 2002 Gold Awards -- the Pacific Asia travel industry’s premier awards programme recognising excellence, innovation and dedication across the whole spectrum of tourism endeavours in Pacific Asia.

Within the Gold Awards, PATA will also present Grand Awards in the following categories: Environment, Marketing, Education & Training, and Heritage & Culture. Gold Awards will be given in these categories and in others such as travel journalism, public relations and advertising. The PATA Gold Awards competition is kindly sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office.

Award recipients will be honoured during a special luncheon at the 51st PATA Annual Conference in New Delhi, India, April 14-18, 2002, and will also be featured in the PATA 2002 Conference Daily newspaper. The winning entries will be on display at the Conference for all delegates to enjoy.

The Gold Awards programme is open only to PATA-member organisations, with the following exceptions: PATA chapters may enter the Environment, Heritage & Culture and Education & Training categories. The Travel Journalism category is open to all published writers and photographers.

PATA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Joseph A. McInerney said: "Over the years, we have received a great number of entrants from all over Pacific Asia. PATA’s Gold Awards have encouraged the travel industry to be innovative and improve service for the benefit of everyone who travels."

Further PATA Gold Awards details and entry forms are available on PATAnet at www.pata.org . The closing date for entries is January 10, 2002.