• PATA Gold Awards 2021 to be presented to 20 organisations recognising their achievements

    PATA Gold Awards 2021 to be presented to 20 organisations recognising their achievements

    Travel Biz News —

    Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) announced 20 winners of the PATA Gold Awards 2021 during the Online PATA Gold Awards presentation ceremony held in Bangkok today.

    Supported and sponsored by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) for the last 26 years, this year’s awards recognise the achievements of 20 organisations and individuals.

    A panel of 18 independent judges from around the world selected the winners of the 18 Gold Awards and two Grand Title Winners.  

    Since its inception in 1984, the winning projects of these awards have set industry standards for excellence and innovation, serving as examples for others to follow.

    The Grand Title Winner for best of show in Marketing was presented to Macao Government Tourism Office USA and the Grand Title Winner for Sustainability and Social Responsibility was announced as Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, according to a statement issued by PATA International.

    The PATA Grand Title Winners were presented to outstanding entries in two principal categories: Marketing, and Sustainability and Social Responsibility.

    PATA presented 18 Gold Awards to such organisations as the Catalan Tourist Board, Designated Areas for Sustainable Development Administration (DASTA); Galaxy Entertainment Group, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Korea Tourism Organization, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Meridian Adventure Dive Resort, MGM China, Outrigger Hospitality Group, Plaza Premium Group, SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Ayala Land, Inc. – Ten Knots Group, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Malaysia, and TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd.

    “Amid the global disruption we are living due to the pandemic, the outstanding initiatives in tourism marketing and sustainability of this year’s PATA Gold Awards winners are a beacon of light for the industry. Macao is honored to maintain its long-standing support to this PATA initiative and contribute to help rebuild a more responsible and sustainable tourism industry,” said Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of MGTO.

    Similarly , PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera said that  the achievements of this year’s winners will  inspire and encourage tourism industry to create new responsible and sustainable initiatives as we look towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    PATA Grand Title Winners 2021

    1- Marketing

    Dream Now and Travel Later , Macao Government Tourism Office USA Representative Office, Macao, China

    2 -Sustainability and Social Responsibility

    Cinnamon Travel Pledge , Cinnamon Hotel Management Ltd, Sri Lanka

    PATA Gold Award Winners 2021           

    1 – Marketing Campaign (National – Asia)

    Special Tourist Visa (STV) ,Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand

    2 – Marketing Campaign (State and City – Global)

    360 Hong Kong Moments – Great Outdoors ,Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong SAR

    3 – Marketing – Carrier

    #SriLankanPromises ,SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Sri Lanka

    4- Marketing – Hospitality

    The Outrigger Promise ,Outrigger Hospitality Group, USA

    5- Marketing – Industry

    Plaza Premium Group – Build Back Better ,Plaza Premium Group, Hong Kong SAR

    6- Digital Marketing Campaign

    Legends of Catalonia ,Catalan Tourist Board, Spain

    7- Printed Marketing Campaign

    DIVE INTO YOUR DREAM – MALAYSIA 365 DAYS ,Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia

    8- Travel Video

    A Glimpse into Meridian Adventure Dive Resort – Raja Ampat ,Meridian Adventure Dive Resort, Indonesia

    9-Travel Photograph

    The sunset view of Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields ,Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Chinese Taipei

    10-Destination Article

    Georgia, queen of the desert ,Catherine Marshall, Australia

    11- Business Article

    TTG Asia July 2020: Loyalty wars ,TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd, Singapore

    12- Climate Change Initiative

    Above & Beyond – Melco’s Sustainability Strategy ,Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Macao, China

    13 – Corporate Social Responsibility

    Be GREEN and GREAT in the time of COVID-19 , Ayala Land, Inc. – Ten Knots Group, Philippines

    14-Community Based Tourism

    Tour Dure ,Korea Tourism Organization, Korea (ROK)

    15 – Culture

    Galaxy Entertainment Group – Promoting Cultural Tourism through our Foundation ,Galaxy Entertainment Group, Macao, China

    16 – Heritage

    THE DIVERSE HERITAGE OF KUBANG BADAK BIOGEOTRAIL

    Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Malaysia

    17 -Youth Empowerment Initiative

    MGM Youth Empowerment and Engagement Initiative ,MGM China, Macao, China

    18 – Human Capital Development Initiative

    DASTA CBT Integrated Curriculum , Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), Thailand

    September 8 , 2021

    • Connecting you with the world of travel and tourism

      Media Partners

      Asia Amusement & Attractions Expo 2026

      Theme Park Expo Vietnam 2025

      Asia Pool & Spa Expo , May 10 – 12, 2025 , Guangzhou , China

      KAZAKHSTAN International Exhibition “Tourism & Travel” Almaty, Kazakhstan

      Nihao China- Beyond your imagination

      China extends visa-free

      policy to UK, Canada

      China has decided to extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom starting Tuesday, when the Chinese New Year begins, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on , saying the move aims to further facilitate cross-border travel.

      According to the spokesperson, ordinary passport holders from the two countries can enter China without visa and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes.The policy will be effective until Dec 31.

      Air India Orders 30

      Boeing 737 MAX Jets

      Air India  has ordered 30 more fuel-efficient 737 MAX jets, expanding its Boeing order book to nearly 200 airplanes across the company’s single-aisle and widebody airplane families. Boeing and Air India  announced an order for 30 fuel-efficient 737 MAX jets at the annual Wings Airshow in Hyderabad.

      The airline finalized an incremental purchase of 20 737-8 jets this month and an order for 10 737-10 airplanes was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website. Both purchases exercised existing options as Air India expands its route network to meet rising travel demand.

      Air India will operate the new 737-8s, leveraging their dispatch reliability, fuel efficiency and range flexibility on high-frequency, domestic and short-haul regional routes. The airline also plans to deploy the larger 737-10 to maintain operational commonality and carry more passengers at the lowest cost per seat among single-aisle aircraft.

      As Air India expands its fleet and network, Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook forecasts the Indian and South Asian region will need nearly 3,300 new airplanes over the next two decades with 90% of those single-aisle jets like the 737 MAX. ( February 2 , 2026 )

      WTTC chooses  Madrid

      for new Global Office

      London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that its Operating Committee has unanimously approved Madrid in Spain as the location for the organisation’s new Global Office.

      Five destinations expressed interest in hosting the Global Office – Dubai (UAE), France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland – with the evaluation criteria based on six areas: office rental and operating costs; the tax, incentives and competitive environment; fast-track visas and work permit frameworks in the destination; government support; cost of living to attract and retain talent; and proximity to international organisations.

      The decision to choose Madrid was endorsed by all 17 members of WTTC’s Operating Committee, following a comprehensive assessment of WTTC’s long-term strategic and operational needs. Members agreed that Madrid offered the most attractive option due to the city’s competitiveness, a more favourable tax environment, government support, easier visa processing for employees and overall lower operating costs. Challenges linked to Brexit, such as constraints on talent mobility, made the UK less attractive as WTTC wishes to further build its leadership position and become even more agile in the sector.

      Madrid was also selected for its strong international connectivity via Madrid-Barajas Airport, competitive business environment, incentives from government, synergies with international organisations in the sector such as UN Tourism and alignment with WTTC’s global mission. The new office will form a central part of WTTC’s worldwide network, supporting its highly-respected advocacy, research and member engagement activities across the globe.

      Bangkok named Asia’s best

      holiday destination for 2025

      Bangkok has been ranked as the best city to visit in Asia for 2025 by Smart Travel Asia, a leading digital travel magazine, based on the opinions of hundreds of thousands of travellers and readers worldwide.

      The city received the highest votes in the “Best Holiday Destination in Asia” category, retaining its top position for the second consecutive year.

      Smart Travel Asia highlighted Bangkok’s strengths as its 24-hour vibrancy and diverse experiences, including food, culture, shopping, and the friendliness of its people, describing it as a “city full of energy and colour, day and night.”

      The city’s dominance stems from several compelling factors. Bangkok has emerged as a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering everything from legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants and panoramic 360-degree rooftop bars. Its cultural and heritage sites, including the iconic Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho temples, remain major attractions to international tourists.

      Additionally, from luxury malls in the city centre to the Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok caters to every type of shopper. Affordability and friendliness also play a key role, as Bangkok remains an accessible living cost destination where welcoming smiles continue to charm travellers.

      In the Smart Travel Asia 2025 rankings, Bali (Indonesia) and Tokyo (Japan) shared second place behind Bangkok, while Seoul (the Republic of Korea) and Luang Prabang (Laos) tied for fourth. Thailand further strengthened its tourism appeal with Chiang Mai placing third and Phuket sharing fifth place with Hong Kong (China).

      Having the three cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, in the top 10 highlights the diversity and appeal of Thailand’s tourism offerings for travellers worldwide. — VNA/VNS ( Oct.12, 2025)

      Gulf Cooperation Council Tourism 

      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)