Submissions for PATA Face of the Future 2016 now open

BANGKOK – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is now accepting submissions for PATA Face of the Future 2016. The winner will receive a round-trip economy flight with hotel accommodation to attend the Association’s Dinner and PATA Awards Presentation during the PATA Annual Summit 2016 on May 19, 2016 at Dusit Thani Guam Resort, Guam, USA. The winner will also benefit from global media exposure via PATA’s far-reaching communication channels and will be invited to join the PATA Executive Board as a non-voting member and observer. Deadline for submissions is March 4, 2016.
 

PATA is dedicated to human capital development across the broad spectrum of travel and tourism. Each year the Association presents this special award and prize to an exceptional ‘rising star’ in the industry. Past winners have 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. 
 

“Human capital development is amongst one of our greatest challenges, as noted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The PATA Face of the Future award provides us the perfect occasion to recognise a young tourism professional making an impact in the travel and tourism industry,” said PATA CEO Mario Hardy. “If you are young travel professional who has exhibited initiative, leadership and demonstrated a commitment to the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region, this is the perfect opportunity to build your career and networks through the PATA Face of the Future award.”
 

An individual is eligible to enter the 2016 PATA ‘Face of the Future’ Award if he or she is: 

 – Aged 35 and below as of March 4, 2016

 – Working for a PATA member organisation (in good-standing as of March 4, 2016) or undertaking post-graduate travel and tourism studies at a PATA member educational institution
 

The judges will seek to identify an individual who has best: 

 – 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
 

The finalists will be judged by former PATA Face of the Future winners, external judges and members of the PATA management team.   

 

1. The candidate him/herself or a third-party person may submit the nomination.

2. No entry form is required. Simply submit a nomination letter, along with the nominee’s full professional contact details and bio-data with photo (JPG format, 300 dpi resolution, maximum 500KB total file size), in soft copy only (DOC or PDF file; maximum three pages).

3. Submit a video (up to three minutes in length) detailing the nominee’s experiences to date and aspirations for the future of the travel and tourism industry. Movie clips shot on smart phones or tablets are acceptable.

4. Submit an essay (500 words max) in English outlining how travel and tourism may contribute to the achievements of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. Please note the judges are looking for sound ideas and will not be reviewing entries based upon the quality of the English language text.

5. Please email the entry, clearly labelled ‘PATA Face of the Future 2016 Nomination’, to Parita Niemwongse at fof@PATA.org by March 4, 2016.
 

All entrants will be notified by March 18, 2016. For further information, please visit https://www.pata.org/face-of-the-future.
 

2015 – Dr Helena Lo, Director of Pousada de Mong-Há – the Educational Hotel of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), Macau SAR

2014 – Ms Soulinnara Ratanavong, Teacher/Trainer at the Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (Lanith), Lao PDR

2013 – Mr James Mabey, Senior Director of Development, Marco Polo Hotels, Hong Kong SAR

2012 – Mr Justin Malcolm, General Manager, Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, & Chairman of the PATA Chiang Rai Chapter, Thailand

2011 – Ms Tavalea Nilon, Miss Samoa 2010, Samoa

2010 – Mr Toney K Thomas, Programme Director & Senior Lecturer of the School of Tourism, Events & Recreation, Taylor’s University College, Malaysia

2009 – Mr Andrew Nihopara, Marketing Manager, South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Fiji

2008 – Mr Kenneth Low, Director Strategy – Asia Pacific, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Singapore

2007 – Mr Tran Trong Kien, CEO, Buffalo Tours, Vietnam

2006 – Mr Shikher Prasai, Managing Director, Natraj Tours & Travels, Nepal

2005 – Ms Sally Hollis, Manager, Tourism Council of Western Australia, Australia

2004 – Ms Silvia Sitou, Head of the Research & Planning Department, Macau Government Tourist Office, Macau SAR

2003 – Mr Vivek Sharma, Sales & Marketing Manager – Eastern USA, SITA World Tours, United States

2002 – Mr Mayur (Mac) Patel, Founder, eTravelConsult.com, Australia
 

Note: All stated positions are as of year obtaining their award.

 

Photo caption: Dr Helena Lo, Director of Pousada de Mong-Há – the Educational Hotel of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), Macau SAR and PATA Face of the Future 2015