PATA Recognises Outstanding Chapters and Student Chapters
Picture: L/R: Ms. Chan Hon Lei Honey, Vice Chair, PATA Hong Kong Metropolitan University Student Chapter; Mr. Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed, Immediate Past Chair, PATA Malaysia Taylor's Student Chapter; Dr. Thanam Subramaniam, Outgoing Advisor, PATA Malaysia Taylor's Student Chapter; Mr. Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah, Vice Chair, PATA Malaysia Chapter; Mr. Pronab Sarkar, Former Executive Committee, PATA India Chapter; Sit Yan Naing Lucas, Head of Membership Coordination, PATA Thailand Mae Fah Luang University Student Chapter, and Dr. Paithoon Monpanthong, PATA Thailand Chapter at the Award Presentation during the PATA Executive Board & Board Members Networking Reception on Monday, August 17.
Missing: PATA India Chandigarh University Student Chapter and PATA Nepal Chapter.
KUCHING, Malaysia, August 18, 2026 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association(PATA) has recognised outstanding achievements across its global network of Chapters and Student Chapters through the 2026 PATA Chapter and Student Chapter Awards, celebrating excellence, leadership, engagement and sustainability across the Pacific Asia tourism community.
The awards were presented during the PATA Executive Board & Board Members Networking Reception at Commons Café, Old Court House Kuching, held the night before PATA Travel Mart 2026 in Sarawak, Malaysia.
The Best Newcomer Award was presented to the PATA Hong Kong Metropolitan University Student Chapter, recognising a Student Chapter in its early stages that has made an impressive impact from the very beginning.
The Outstanding Industry Engagement Award was presented to the PATA India Chandigarh University Student Chapter, recognising its excellence in industry engagement and its efforts to help prepare students for careers in travel and tourism.
The Best Engagement with Young Tourism Professionals Award was presented jointly to the PATA Malaysia Chapter and PATA Thailand Chapter, recognising their support for local young tourism professionals and tourism institution activities.
The Best Sustainability Initiative Award was presented to the PATA Thailand Mae Fah Luang University Student Chapter, recognising its activities supporting sustainability, social responsibility, the environment and the responsible development of tourism.
The Award of Excellence, recognising Chapters and Student Chapters whose activities best exemplify dedication to the development of the travel and tourism industry within the Pacific Asia region, was presented to:
PATA Malaysia Chapter
PATA Nepal Chapter
PATA Malaysia Taylor's Student Chapter
The Spirit of PATA Award, recognising a Chapter that consistently and progressively demonstrates its commitment to, and best embodies, the aims and objectives of PATA over the past five years, was presented to the PATA India Chapter.
Picture: Front row L/R: PATA Singapore Chapter, PATA Philippines Chapter, PATA New York Chapter, PATA Thailand Bangkok University Student Chapter, PATA Japan Wakayama University (WU) Student Chapter. Back row L/R: PATA Hong Kong School of Hotel & Tourism Management (SHTM) Student Chapter, PATA Macau Chapter, PATA France Chapter, and the PATA UK & Ireland Chapter.
Missing PATA Chinese Taipei Chapter, PATA Denmark Chapter, PATA Finland Chapter, PATA German Chapter, PATA Micronesia Chapter, PATA India Christ University Chapter, PATA Malaysia HELP University Student Chapter, PATA UAE Higher Colleges of Technology Student Chapter.
In addition to the annual awards, PATA presented Special Recognition to Chapters and Student Chapters whose dedication and continued support have strengthened the Association over the years, as part of the celebration of PATA’s 75th Anniversary.
The Special Recognition recipients were:
Chinese Taipei Chapter
PATA Denmark Chapter
PATA Finland Chapter
PATA France Chapter
PATA German Chapter
PATA Hong Kong Chapter
PATA Macau Chapter
PATA Maldives Chapter
PATA Micronesia Chapter
PATA New York Chapter
PATA Philippines Chapter
PATA Singapore Chapter
PATA UK & Ireland Chapter
PATA Hong Kong School of Hotel & Tourism Management (SHTM) Student Chapter
PATA India Christ University Student Chapter
PATA Japan Wakayama University (WU) Student Chapter
PATA Malaysia HELP University Student Chapter
PATA Thailand Bangkok University Student Chapter
PATA UAE Higher Colleges of Technology Student Chapter
“PATA’s Chapters and Student Chapters are at the heart of our global community, creating opportunities for connection, learning, leadership and collaboration at the local level,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “These awards recognise the important work being undertaken by our Chapters and Student Chapters and the commitment of their members to strengthening the tourism industry across the Pacific Asia region.”
He added, “I congratulate all of this year’s award recipients and thank every Chapter and Student Chapter for their continued contribution to PATA. Their energy, ideas and dedication are essential to building a stronger and more meaningful tourism economy for the future.”
The PATA Chapter and Student Chapter Awards are part of PATA’s ongoing commitment to recognising the contributions of its members and supporting the development of future tourism leaders.
