PATA Gold Awards 2003 aims to mark the best of Pacific Asia

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the launch of the PATA Gold Awards 2003 -- one of Pacific Asia travel industry’s premier awards programmes, recognising excellence, innovation and dedication across the whole spectrum of tourism endeavours in Pacific Asia.

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. The PATA Gold Awards competition is sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office.

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). 

Submissions will be judged on the basis of creativity and campaign results. The entry fee in this marketing category has been reduced to US$100 per entry.

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. 

PATA President and CEO, Mr. Peter de Jong said: "We hope that the new structure of marketing sub-categories and its reduced entry fee will encourage a wide range of PATA-member companies and lower-budget campaigns to participate in the awards along with the bigger players."