PATA Gold Awards open until January 10, 2003

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is accepting entries until January 10, 2003 for the PATA Gold Awards 2003. The Awards recognise excellence, innovation and dedication across the region’s travel and tourism sector.

The PATA Gold Awards competition is sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office. Macau Government Tourist Office, Director, Mr. Joao Costa Antunes, said the Awards encouraged excellence in the travel industry across the Asia Pacific region. "Winning a Gold Award is a tribute to the devotion and great effort of the participants. Being recognised by an international body like PATA, we believe that the awards motivate the travel industry to progress."

Within the Gold Awards, PATA will 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.

In order to attract entries by smaller operators, as well as larger ones, PATA has introduced awards in new sub-categories such as Government/Destination (National or State/City); Carrier (Regional, International, Domestic); and Industry (Hotel, Car Rental, Attraction, Tour Operator/Travel Agent/DMC/PCO, Distribution Network, Convention/Exhibition Venue, and Credit Card Company).

Award recipients will be honoured during a special luncheon at the 52nd PATA Annual Conference in Bali, Indonesia, April 13-17, 2003, and will also be featured in the PATA 2003 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.