Submissions now open for PATA Gold Awards 2005

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has launched the PATA Gold Awards 2005. The PATA Gold Awards competition aims to recognise excellence, innovation and dedication across the whole spectrum of travel and tourism endeavours in the region. The deadline for PATA to receive submissions is December 1, 2004. The PATA Gold Awards 2005 brochures are being mailed to PATA members and chapters this week.

The PATA Gold Awards competition is sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office, hosts for the 54th PATA Annual Conference.

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.

PATA Gold Award recipients will be honoured during a special luncheon on April 18, 2005 during the 54th PATA Annual Conference in Macau. The Grand Award recipients will be recognised during the opening ceremony of the Conference. Winners will receive a plaque and they will be featured in the TTG Asia Conference Daily newspaper. The winning entries will also be on display at the Conference for all delegates to enjoy. All winning entries will be profiled in a special souvenir winners' booklet and on the PATA Web site.

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.

Mr Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office said: "This year's Gold Awards have special significance for us as it is the 10th anniversary of our sponsorship. It is therefore appropriate that Macau will stage PATA Annual Conference 2005 next year, the venue for the 10th Macau-sponsored PATA Gold Awards."

PATA President and CEO, Mr. Peter de Jong said: "Each year, we receive a great number of high quality entries from a wide range of PATA-member companies and PATA Chapters. However, smaller-budget campaigns are also encouraged to participate in the awards along with the bigger players. It's not so much size that counts as conception, creativity and fulfilment."