The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has bestowed honours upon two PATA Chapters and six individuals, who have made outstanding contributions to the travel and tourism industry as well as the Association.

The PATA Honourary Life membership is traditionally conferred upon the chairperson of the PATA Conference Host Committee.

The honourable Shao Qiwei - pictured - chairman of China National Tourism Administration, was the proud recipient of this award.  He has done everything within his power to help make the PATA’s 60th anniversary and Annual Conference event a resounding success.

The second PATA Honourary Life membership recipient today was Guo Jinlong, mayor of Beijing, who also provided tremendous support to ensure this event was off to a splendid start in the proud and historic city of Beijing.

The PATA United Kingdom Chapter was awarded the 2010 ‘Spirit of PATA’ award, which goes to a chapter that has a solid business plan with an excellent marketing strategy to promote and elevate the PATA brand and objectives.

The UK Chapter has delivered high quality service over a number of years in many areas, from education and training; sponsorship opportunities; sales and marketing; networking and PATA advocacy.

Its consistent approach has successfully reached out to different partners.

The ‘PATA Exchange’ is but one of many networking events the Chapter has initiated. Last but not least, the Chapter has created excellent self-funding mechanisms which other Chapters too could emulate.

The PATA Singapore Chapter was the winner of the 2010 ‘Award of Excellence’.

It has done a splendid job in living the PATA brand and has shown visible foresight and faith in defining its objectives and plans, which has been generating interest in the local tourism industry among several different segments, from students upwards. Furthermore, the Chapter has taken exemplary action in grooming the present and next generation of the country’s human resources.

Its highlight activity in 2010 was the ‘Our Productivity Story’. 

The PATA Life membership is the Association’s highest individual honour, recognising significant leadership and invaluable dedication to PATA. During this afternoon’s ceremony, PATA was privileged to present this award to Brian Deeson, who has over 40-years of experience in the management and marketing of hotels and resorts with major international hotel chains.

He has long been actively involved with PATA and has held many important roles as officer, board member, interim CEO, and chairman.

The 2011 PATA ‘Face of the Future’ is Tavalea Nilon from Samoa. The winner was selected from a group of five finalists, with Sitpasu Thongsuk of Thailand and Hsu Htet Hlaing of Myanmar announced as runners-up.

Nilon was ‘Miss Samoa 2010’ and has worked hard to promote the island nation nationally and internationally through tourism exchanges and festivals.

The IMEX organisers will sponsor her for a three-night trip to the IMEX 2011 show in Frankfurt, to be held from May 24-26.

PATA ‘Awards of Merit’ are reserved for individuals who have consistently contributed to the Association and the PATA chapter network over an extended period. Two such awards announcements were made today.

The first ‘Award of Merit’ was presented to Barbara Doyle from the Colonial Kiwi Comfort Accommodation. She has played a pivotal role in PATA’s New Zealand Chapter, supporting a range of activities and initiatives which helped strengthen the industry whilst bringing the delights of the country forth to a worldwide audience.

She has also served as a member of PATA’s Industry Council, PATA board and PATA committee.

The second PATA Award of Merit went to Elly Hutabarat, president-direct, PT Pantravel, Indonesia, who has served PATA’s mission and the PATA chapter for years. She has been a PATA board member as well as chairperson of the PATA Indonesia Chapter, and has served as a president and vice president of many organisations, namely, the Association of Indonesia Travel Agents (ASITA); ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA); Federation of ASEAN Travel Agents Associations (FATA), and Indonesia-Australian Business Council.