To highlight commitments to human capital development, PATA annually presents a special award and prize to an exceptional ‘rising star’ in the industry. All recipients of this prestigious award have exhibited initiative and leadership in the advancement of tourism as well as demonstrated commitment to the sustainable development of the Asia Pacific travel industry in line with PATA’s mission.

2025 Face of the Future Winners

Yeji Cho
Assistant Manager / International Cooperation Team, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO)

“At the Korea Tourism Organization, I have worked to promote the value of humanity through tourism, supporting disadvantaged tourists and building networks of international cooperation. It is incredibly encouraging that PATA recognises the importance of these efforts and gives a voice to young professionals in the tourism industry. I hope this award might inspire other young people to believe in their ability to create global impact. By sharing our stories and experiences, I believe we can shape a more inclusive and meaningful future through tourism.”

Poornaka Delpachitra
Country General Manager/Director - Sri Lanka, Intrepid Travel

Dr. Bella Vongvisitsin
Assistant Professor for Hospitality & Tourism Management Programme, Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Nikhil Jeet
Director, DDP Group, India

Benefits of Winning:

Recognition as the PATA Face of the Future 2025 including the use of a corresponding brand identity logo
Full sponsorship for participation at PATA Travel Mart 2025
Speaking opportunity at the PATA Youth Symposium during the PATA Travel Mart 2025 to share your story about your passion and journey to success. (Can be replaced with Virtual PATA Youth Symposium)
Opportunities to speak at other PATA events or partner events on behalf of PATA
Global media exposure via PATA’s far-reaching communication channels
Build your profile as a mentor for the PATA Youth Mentorship Programme to develop young tourism professional students in the region

Speaking and Mentoring opportunities at PATA Youth webinars and other youth events

One blog post on PATA Blog about your passion and journey to success
Seat on the PATA Board to represent the youth community of PATA

Eligibility

Aged 18-35 as of May 1, 2025

Working for a PATA member organisation as of May 1, 2025 or is undertaking postgraduate travel and tourism studies at a PATA member educational institution
- Nominee's organisation must be in good standing from May 1, 2025, through the awarding period at the PATA Travel Mart 2025.

Judging Criteria

Exhibited initiative and leadership in the implementation of local, regional and/or international tourism initiatives (including research projects)
Demonstrated commitment to the sustainable development of the Asia Pacific travel industry in a spirit compatible with PATA’s mission

Submission Guideline

The candidate himself/herself OR a third-party person may submit the nomination.
No entry form is required. Simply submit a nomination letter, along with the nominee’s latest resume, contact details and bio write-up with photo (JPG format, 300 dpi resolution, maximum 500KB total file size), in soft copy only (DOC or PDF file; maximum three pages).
Submit a video (up to three (3) minutes in length) of the nominee speaking, detailing the nominee’s experiences to date and aspirations for the future of travel and tourism. Movie clips shot on smartphones or tablets are acceptable.

Please email the entry, clearly labelled ‘PATA Face of the Future 2025 Nomination’, to Nick Chun, Manager- Membership & Youth Programme at FoF@PATA.org

2024 PATA Face of the Future Winners

Grand Winner

Ha Yeon (Jane) Park
Assistant Manager - F&B Revenue Management & Operations

Recognition for Sustainability Initiatives

Amine Gabbouj
Coordinator, IGLTA Foundation

Recognition for Strategic Management

Karnchana Phakpho
Chairperson, International Tourism and Hospitality Management Programme, Bangkok University

Read Their Stories

Past PATA Face of the Future

2023

Sangeetha Liyanapathirana
Manager - Health, Hygiene and Sustainability, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
2021

Surayyal Hizmi
Lecturer at Lombok Tourism Polytechnic and Lecturer Advisor of the PATA Lombok Tourism Polytechnic Student Chapter, Indonesia
2020

Suresh Singh Budal
CEO, PATA Nepal Chapter, Nepal

2019

Flori-Anne dela Cruz, Youth representative to the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) Board of Directors, Guam
2018

Abdulla Ghyias, President, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), Maldives
2017

Faeez Fadhlillah, CEO and Co-founder, Tripfez, Malaysia
2016

Danny Ho, Executive Pastry Chef, Hotel ICON, Hong Kong SAR
2015

Dr Helena Lo, Director of Pousada de Mong-Há – the Educational Hotel of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), Macao, China
2014

Soulinnara Ratanavong, Teacher/Trainer at the Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (Lanith), Lao PDR
2013

James Mabey, Senior Director of Development, Marco Polo Hotels, Hong Kong SAR
2012

Justin Malcolm, General Manager, Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort
2011

Tavalea Nilon, Miss Samoa 2010, Samoa
2010

Toney K Thomas, Programme Director & Senior Lecturer of the School of Tourism, Events & Recreation, Taylor’s University College, Malaysia
2009

Andrew Nihopara, Marketing Manager, South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Fiji
2008

Kenneth Low, Director Strategy – Asia Pacific, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Singapore
2007

Tran Trong Kien, CEO, Buffalo Tours, Vietnam
2006

Shikher Prasai, Managing Director, Natraj Tours & Travels, Nepal
2005

Sally Hollis, Manager, Tourism Council of Western Australia, Australia
2004

Silvia Sitou, Head of the Research & Planning Department, Macau Government Tourist Office, Macao, China
2003

Vivek Sharma, Sales & Marketing Manager – Eastern USA, SITA World Tours, United States
2002

Mayur (Mac) Patel, Founder, eTravelConsult.com, Australia