The PATA Gold Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the Asia Pacific travel industry, recognising and rewarding outstanding achievements that set new benchmarks for the region. Since their inception in 1984, the PATA Grand and Gold Awards have honoured pioneering projects that exemplify exceptional standards, serving as an inspiration for the industry.

Marketing Grand Award

Macao Government Tourism Office

”Experience Macao Limited Edition”

Sustainability & Social Responsibility Grand Award

Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization)

”Sustainable Cultural Heritage Preservation of the Ban Na Ton Chan Homestay Community Enterprise”

Gold Award Winners

Marketing

Best Destination Marketing Campaign
(Destination Marketing Organisation - Asia)

1.

Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia
“Sarawak Gateway to Borneo“

Best Destination Marketing Campaign
(Destination Marketing Organisation - Pacific)

2.

Tahiti Tourisme, French Polynesia
“Follow Your Feelings in The Islands of Tahiti“

Best Marketing Campaign - Carrier
(Airline, Cruise, Airport)

3.

Srilankan Airlines Limited, Sri Lanka
“The Ramayana Trail Campaign”

Best Marketing Campaign - Hospitality
(Hotel, Resort, Management company)

4.

Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Macao, China
“Studio City - Sanrio Campaign”

Best Marketing Campaign - Industry
(Any other tourism business)

5.

Flymya, Myanmar
“Travel Easy, Travel Smart”

Best Integrated Digital Marketing Campaign (Destination)

6.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand
“The ‘Love Season’ Initiative”

Best Integrated Digital Marketing Campaign (Business)

7.

SOTC Travel Limited, India
“Saare Jahan Se Achha India Humara”

Best Printed Marketing Campaign (Destination)

8.

Tourism and Travel Bureau, Taichung City Government, Chinese Taipei
“FUN! Taichung Explore Taichung from A to Z”

Best Printed Marketing Campaign (Industry)

9.

Best Sustainable and Inclusive Marketing Campaign

10.

Macao Government Tourism Office, Macao, China
“A New Standard of Excellence”

Rachel Lees - Freelance Writer, Australia
“The Kimberley's Shifting Tides”

11.

Best Destination Article

12.

Best Industry Article

Best Use of Emerging Technology in Marketing

13.

Korea Tourism Organization, Korea (ROK)
“Smart Solutions for Regional Tourism Challenges Project”

Most Engaging Social Media Campaign

14.

Kerala Tourism, India
“Meme-led Makeover Campaign”

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand
“The Hidden Romance of Sam Roi Yot”

15.

Best Travel Photography

Korea Tourism Organization, Korea (ROK)
“Jeonju Rhapsody (The Official Anthem) by Steve Barakatt”

16.

Best Travel Video

Gold Award Winners

Sustainability & Social Responsibility

Best Climate Action Initiative (Destination)

1.

Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) - DASTA, Thailand
“Carbon Neutral Community-based Tourism Prototype“

Best Climate Action Initiative (Industry)

2.

Best Cultural Heritage Preservation Initiative

3.

School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Taylor’s University, Malaysia
“Lenggong Valley Heritage Revival”

Best Ecosystem & Wildlife Conservation Initiative

4.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
“Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project”

Best Human Capital Development Programme

5.

Leofoo Tourism Group, Chinese Taipei
“Leofoo H(earing)-I(mpaired) Team”

Community-Based Tourism Excellence

6.

Destination Resilience (All Destinations)

7.

Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) - DASTA, Thailand
“Creative Spaces Revitalizing the Old Town into a Lively Heritage District“

Tourism for All: Best Inclusion and Diversity Initiative

Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) - DASTA, Thailand
“Community-based Tourism for All“

8.

Best Women Empowerment Initiative

9.

Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) - DASTA, Thailand
“A Case Study of Ban San Thang Luang, Chiang Rai Province“

Best Youth Empowerment Initiative

10.

Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) - DASTA, Thailand
“SE For Youth in Thailand-Loei Youth Saving Group“

“We warmly congratulate the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, our esteemed Grand Title Winners, along with all this year’s recipients. Your achievements continue to raise the bar and inspire a more responsible, inclusive, and impactful future for tourism in the region.”

– Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA

“The winning initiatives of the PATA Gold Awards are a breath of fresh air for the tourism industry. It is energizing to see the new approaches and commitment displayed by the awardees in marketing, as well as sustainability and social responsibility. Macao is honored to support this PATA initiative for 30 years and contribute to encouraging more diversity and sustainability in the tourism industry in our destination and globally.”

– Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, MGTO

All award recipients will be celebrated at the PATA Gold Awards 2025 Gala Dinner on August 27, held during PATA Travel Mart 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. Winning projects will also be showcased at the Mart, offering all delegates an opportunity to explore and be inspired by the region's most innovative and impactful initiatives.

Independent Panel of Judges:

  • Andreas Hardeman

    Manager, Aerospace, Aviation and Travel Industries, World Economic Forum

  • Anna Hong

    General Manager, Shun Tak - China Travel Ship Management Limited

  • Bel Castro

    Asst. Dean, College of Hospitality Management, Enderun Colleges

  • Betsy Croft

    Global Head of Industry Marketing, Skyscanner

  • David Hailstones

    Vice President & Chief Group Cultural Officer, Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education Switzerland (BVIS)

  • Eric Fong

    Marketing Director, Macau International Airport

  • Fabrizio Orlando

    Global Director, Industry Affairs, Tripadvisor

  • Hannah Pearson

    Founding Partner, Pearson Consulting (Pear Anderson)

  • Jackson Pek

    Senior Vice President & Group General Counsel, Amadeus Asia Limited

  • Janet Yu

    Assistant Vice President – Sales, SJM Resorts, S.A

  • Jennifer Chun

    Director, Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority

  • Jonathan Low

    Managing Director, Global Success Learning Academy

  • Julia Louw

    Head of Leisure Tourism, WESGRO Cape Town & Western Cape

  • Justin Ong

    Regional Manager, APAC, Hotelbeds Pte. Ltd

  • Lilibeth Aragon

    College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management, Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila

  • Lucie Wesley

    VP, Business Development & Marketing, MMGY Global

  • Mark Manglona

    Marketing Officer - Pacific & North America, Guam Visitors Bureau

  • Olivier Berrivin

    Vice President - APAC, BWH Hotels

  • Paloma Zapata

    CEO, Sustainable Travel International

  • Ralf Ostendorf

    Director Market & Media Management, Berlin Tourismus & Kongress

  • Reham Shaheen

    Tourism Activation team leader, Aseer Region Development Authority

  • Shima Ahmadi

    Project Manager, Universitat de Girona

  • Suyin Lee

    CEO, Discova Travel

  • Verra Wang

    Senior PR Manager, Trip.com Group

  • Victoria Mukranova

    International Director Tourism, AVIAREPS

2025 Categories

Grand Title Winners: The international judging committee will select the best of show entries to be the Grand Title Winners; all entries in both categories are eligible to be selected.

Marketing

1 Grand Title & 17 Individual Awards

  • This award recognises exceptional marketing campaigns by Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) in the Asia region that effectively promote a destination, increase brand awareness, and drive visitor interest.

  • This award recognises exceptional marketing campaigns by Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) in the Pacific region that effectively promote a destination, increase brand awareness, and drive visitor interest.

  • This award recognises exceptional marketing campaigns by Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions that effectively promote a destination, increase brand awareness, and drive visitor interest.

  • Recognising outstanding marketing efforts by airlines, cruise lines, and airports that effectively promote travel, enhance brand positioning, and engage target audiences.

  • This category honours innovative marketing campaigns by hotels, resorts, and hospitality groups that enhance brand reputation, customer engagement, and property awareness.

  • Recognising marketing excellence from tourism-related businesses such as travel agencies, tour operators, and attractions that have effectively reached and influenced their target markets.

  • This award highlights innovative, multi-channel digital marketing campaigns that effectively leverage social media, email marketing, content marketing, and digital advertising to engage audiences and promote travel.

  • This award highlights innovative, multi-channel digital marketing campaigns that effectively leverage social media, email marketing, content marketing, and digital advertising to engage audiences and promote travel.

  • Honouring outstanding traditional print marketing materials such as brochures, magazines, posters, and other collateral that successfully communicate a brand’s message and attract interest.

  • Honouring outstanding traditional print marketing materials such as brochures, magazines, posters, and other collateral that successfully communicate a brand’s message and attract interest.

  • Celebrating campaigns that promote sustainability, inclusivity, and responsible tourism, showcasing eco-conscious practices and/or diversity within the travel industry.

  • Highlighting well-crafted articles that effectively communicate a destination’s story, inspiring and informing travellers through compelling writing.

  • Highlighting well-written articles that effectively promote businesses.

  • Recognising campaigns that creatively leverage new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and interactive tools to enhance customer engagement and brand awareness.

  • Awarding social media campaigns that effectively capture audience attention, encourage interaction, and amplify brand messaging across digital platforms.

  • Honouring outstanding use of photography used in  a marketing campaign by visually conveying a compelling story and capturing audience interest.

  • Recognising high-quality video content that successfully promotes a brand, destination, or experience through engaging visuals and storytelling.

Sustainability & Social Responsibility

1 Grand Title & 10 Individual Awards

  • Recognising outstanding initiatives that address climate change in the travel and tourism sector through innovative strategies, resource efficiency and carbon reduction efforts, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.

  • Recognising outstanding initiatives that address climate change in the travel and tourism sector through innovative strategies, resource efficiency and carbon reduction efforts, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.

  • Recognising initiatives that protect, preserve, and promote cultural heritage, ensuring the long-term sustainability of historical sites, traditions, and intangible cultural assets.

  • Recognising outstanding projects that protect and restore natural ecosystems, safeguard biodiversity, and ensure the ethical and sustainable management of wildlife.

  • Recognising exemplary initiatives that enhance skills, training, and career development in the travel and tourism industry, fostering a well-equipped workforce for the future.

  • Recognising outstanding community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives that empower local communities – particularly rural and indigenous, celebrate cultural traditions and provide authentic visitor experiences while ensuring sustainability.

  • Recognising destinations that implement strategies to strengthen their resilience against crises, climate change and economic disruptions, ensuring long-term sustainability.

  • Recognising initiatives that promote accessibility, inclusivity and diversity in tourism, ensuring equitable experiences for all travellers regardless of ability, gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic background.

  • Recognising initiatives that promote gender equality and empower women in the tourism industry through leadership, entrepreneurship and professional development opportunities.

  • Recognising initiatives that support young professionals and students in the tourism industry, providing them with skills, knowledge and opportunities for career advancement.

* Updated category
✭ Newly-added category in 2025

If you have any questions about the PATA Gold Awards, please email us at GoldAwards@PATA.org.

PATA Gold Awards Winners 2024

Marketing

Sustainability & Social Responsibility

PATA Gold Awards 2025 is proudly supported by: