The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has presented a series of awards : PATA Life Membership, PATA Chairperson’s Award, PATA Face of the Future Award and a PATA Honorary Membership Award –to several individuals in recognition for their contributions to the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region during the PATA Annual Summit 2019 in Cebu, Philippines:
“The PATA Annual Summit is the perfect opportunity to recognise industry leaders that have contributed to the responsible development of the travel and tourism industry. This year’s recipients embody the spirit of collaboration and cooperation that is essential to the success of the industry,” said PATA CEO Mario Hardy. “I would like to congratulate all the winners for their valuable contributions and also thank them for their continued support to both PATA and the travel and tourism industry.”
The PATA Life Membership was awarded to Elly Hutabarat, President Director – PanTravel, Indonesia. The award is the Association’s highest individual honour and recognises significant leadership and invaluable dedication to PATA.
Hutabarat is currently the President Director at Pantravel, Chairperson at Ayuberga, General Sales Agent for the Saudi Arabian Airlines, Chairperson at Intrareps, Commissioner Emeritus of Coca Cola Amatil Indonesia, and Commissioner of PAN Maritime Wira Pawitra – Shipping Company.
The PATA Chairperson’s Award was presented by Chris Bottrill, Dean of Fine and Applied Arts, and Director, International at Capilano University in North Vancouver, Canada to PATA Life Member, Dato Haji Azizan Noordin. Noordin was the former Chief Executive Officer of the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and oversaw its operation and management with three strategic thrusts of tourism, investment and community development.
The PATA Face of the Future award for 2019 was presented to Flori-Anne Dela Cruz, youth representative to the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) Board of Directors. This award is presented annually to an exceptional ‘rising star’ in the industry, having exhibited initiative and leadership in the advancement of tourism as well as demonstrating a commitment to the sustainable development of the Asia Pacific travel industry in line with PATA’s mission. Dela Cruz, was recently appointed by the newly elected Honourable Governor of Guam, Lourdes Leon Guerrero, as the youth representative appointed to the GVB Board of Directors.
