PATA announces Gold Awards

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has honoured 21 organisations and individuals under the Associations 2002 Gold Awards programme. All awards will be presented to the winners on April 15 at the 51st PATA Annual Conference in New Delhi, India.

The honours include four Grand Awards, presented to the best of show entries in the categories of Marketing, Education & Training, Environment and Heritage & Culture.

The 2002 PATA Grand Award for Marketing is won by the Macau Government Tourist Office for its ‘Macau Welcomes You campaign’. Elements of the campaign include a passport-like booklet with stamp redemption and discount privileges with dynamic promotional materials. The campaign resulted in a record number of visitor arrivals.

The Grand Award for Education & Training is won by the Australian Tourist Commission for its ‘Aussie Specialist On-Line Training Programme’. The programme consists of 19 modules in three parts including destination Australia, itinerary planing and Australian product experience. Certification will be provided for candidates who successfully complete the course; travel agents who are designated Aussie specialists are listed on www.australia.com as a direct reference for consumers to contact.

The Grand Award for Corporate Environmental Programme is won by Banyan Tree and Angsana for its ‘Creating Sustainable Development in the Maldives’ programme. Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru and Angsana Maldives Ihuru share resources when implementing programmes to build ecosensitive resorts. Banyan Tree also lends tremendous support to community projects to raise awareness of the fragility of the underwater world among guests and staff alike.

The Grand Award for Heritage is won by the Department of Tourism, Government of India for its Kerala initiative. The heritage zone encompassing Fort Kochi and Mattancherry has been developed into a high-quality tourist destination through optimal use of resources with a focus on conserving and preserving the heritage and environment and enhancing productivity, income and employment opportunities.

In addition to the four Grand Awards, 20 PATA Gold Awards will be presented for achievement (all winners are listed below).

The winning programmes were selected from nearly 300 Gold Award entries by panels of international experts in each category. The awards are open to PATA and PATA Chapter members, with the exception of the journalism awards, which are open to all published writers and photographers.

GRAND AWARDS

Marketing
Macau Welcomes You
Macau Government Tourist Office

Education & Training — Educational Programme
Aussie Specialist On-Line Training Programme
Australian Tourist Commission

Corporate Environmental Programme
Creating Sustainable Development in the Maldives
Banyan Tree and Angsana

Heritage & Culture – Heritage
Kerala
Department of Tourism, Government of India

Education & Training — Educational Programme
Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System
Institute for Tourism Studies

Ecotourism/Travel Related Project
Snow Leopards of Mongolia
Karakorum Expeditions Mongolia

Corporate Environmental Programme
The Leela Kempinski, Mumbai
The Leela Hotels & Resorts

Environmental Education Programme
A Uel a Sechelid (Turtles are Our Friends)
Palau Visitors Authority/Palau Conservation Society

Heritage & Culture – Culture
Suwannaphumi “the Golden Land of Southeast Asia”
Thai Airways International

International Marketing Programme — Under US$5 million
Banyan Tree Spa – Sanctuary for the senses
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts

National Marketing Programme — Under US$1 million
Private Moments
The Leela Hotels & Resorts

Travel Advertisement — Print Media
Advertisement Campaign for the Leela
The Leela Hotels & Resorts

Travel Advertisement — Electronic Media
“Sawasdee Andaman”
Thai Airways International

Consumer Travel Brochure
Royal Orchid Holidays Series 2001-2002
Thai Airways International

Travel Poster
Smooth as Silk to Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Hong Kong
Thai Airways International

Travel Video
“Malaysia Truly Asia”
Tourism Malaysia

CD-ROM
Singapore Video CDrama
Singapore Tourism Board

Web Site
www.deerpark.com.lk
The Deer Park Hotel

Public Relations Campaign
May Day is Lei Day
Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau

Travel Photograph
“Land of the Rising Son (in-law)”
Mr. Earnie Grafton
San Diego Union-Tribune

Destination Article — Newspaper
“Ko Samui and the Paradise Principle”
Mr. Don George
Lonely Planet

Destination Article — Magazine
“State of Enlightenment”
Mr. Anthony Weller
National Geographic Traveler

Industry Business Article — Trade
“US Attacks: The Aftermath “The Day Travel Changed”
TravelWeekly East

Travel Guidebook
“Lonely Planet, Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, 8th Edition”
Mr. Stan Armington

Travel Poster
Elephant Bathing
Tourism Authority of Thailand

Travel Poster
Palau, the World’s Enchanting Islands
Palau Visitors Authority

Destination Article — Newspaper
“Land of the Rising Son (in-law)”
Mr. Earnie Grafton
San Diego Union-Tribune

Destination Article — Magazine
“Natural Wonderland (Myanmar)”
Mr. Carl Duncan
Los Angeles Times Magazine

Industry Business Article — Trade
“What Price Loyalty”
Mr. Steven Shellum and Ms. Raini Hamdi
Hotel Asia Pacific