TIME FOR EXCELLENCE: GOLD AWARD DEADLINE JAN. 10

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is accepting entries until January 10, 2002, for its 2002 Gold Awards - the Pacific Asia travel industry’s premier awards programme recognising excellence, innovation and dedication across the region’s travel and tourism sector.

"The Grand and Gold Awards put the spotlight where it is deserved -- on tourism excellence," said PATA Chief Communications Officer, Ms. Lyn Hikida. "Winners can be creative individuals from any background, as well as the larger mainstream tourism organisations. It's a level playing field for all."

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. 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.