VASCO DA GAMA AWARDS PRESENTED AT ITB

 The annual Vasco Da Gama Awards will be presented jointly by BRT Reise-Publishing Company of Munich, Germany and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Europe Division during ITB 2001 at Messe Berlin on March 6, in conjunction with the PATA Germany Chapter luncheon.

The 2001 European Personality of the Year award will go to Mr. Eric Waldburger, CEO of the Harbour Plaza Group in Hong Kong SAR. The award is given to a European personality living and working in the PATA region and actively promoting tourism from Europe to Pacific Asia.

Two Company of the Year awards will be presented for 2001 -- to Malaysia Airlines and Tourism Malaysia, which have been outstanding in their promotion and development of tourism from the pan-European marketplace to the PATA region.

"Both MAS and Tourism Malaysia have created positive awareness of the PATA region and they have promoted the region in a highly professional manner," said Mr. John Semone, PATA's Managing Director-Europe.

The selection committee also decided on the annual Sri Budoyo Travel Magazine award, which is presented at the same time during ITB. The committee agreed that the award for 2001 should be given to "Selling Down Under International," a magazine that promotes Australia to the pan-European, Middle East and South African travel trade. The award is given in memory of the late PATA Life Member Sri Budoyo, who was a pioneer in the Association. Mr. Alan Dean, the magazine's editor, and leaders from the Australian Tourist Commission will accept the award in Berlin.

For more information, please visit the PATA village at ITB: Hall 26A, Stand 21.