PATA Gold Awards deadline December 15, 2002

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is accepting entries until December 15, 2002, for its 2003 Gold Awards -- the Pacific Asia travel industry’s premier awards programme recognising excellence, innovation and dedication across the region’s travel and tourism sector.

In order to attract entries by smaller operators, 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, Credit Card Company).

PATA President & CEO, Mr. Peter de Jong, said: "By introducing new sub-categories, the 2003 Gold Awards aim to encourage a wider range of participants from many backgrounds as well as the larger mainstream tourism organisations." 

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 sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office. 

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.