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An international airline, a tourism and transport development organisation, a rainforest hideaway, and a tropical island resort took away top honours at the presentation ceremony today for Asia Pacific‘s only truly independent travel industry awards programme.
Singapore Airlines for Marketing; Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development Corporation for Heritage; Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia for the Environment; and Cinnamon Island Alidhoo, Maldives for Education and Training, are the “best of show” Grand Award winners in the 2008 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards programme.
They accepted their awards during a presentation lunch at the HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad. And they celebrated their achievements with the more than 1,000 travel trade professionals, including buyers and sellers of the best Asia Pacific travel and tourism products attending PATA Travel Mart 2008, as well as PATA Board and Committee members in Hyderabad for a series of PATA leadership meetings.
In addition to the four Grand Awards presented by PATA Chair Janice Antonson, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Director Joao Manuel Costa Antunes and PATA President CEO Peter de Jong presented 22 Gold Awards.
Kerala Tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Malaysia accepted multiple Gold Awards.
Open to both PATA members and non-members, this year’s Awards programme attracted a total of 258 entries from 108 travel and tourism organisations.
The MGTO generously sponsored the 2008 PATA Gold Awards programme for the 13th consecutive year.
MGTO Director Mr Joao Manuel Costa Antunes said: “By sponsoring this leading travel awards programme, Macau Government Tourist Office is proud to contribute to encouraging organisations and individuals to excel in the travel industry in our region.”
He added: “The award winners have demonstrated a high degree of creativity and excellence and we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the 2008 PATA Gold Award winners!”
PATA GRAND AWARDS 2008
MARKETING
“First to Fly the A380”, Singapore Airlines, Singapore
The focus of the Singapore Airlines’ “First to Fly the A380” campaign was to announce the arrival of Singapore Airlines’ first A380 and to showcase the new-generation cabin products — “a class beyond first” — in Singapore Airlines’ A380 aircraft.
Originally due for delivery in 2005, the Airbus A380 became bogged down by a two-year delay. Singapore Airlines needed to sustain public interest despite the delay and to build anticipation for the first A380 flights to Sydney, London and Tokyo.
The campaign message reinforced the airline’s leadership role in innovation, and hinted at the extraordinary luxury that would be experienced on Singapore Airlines’ A380.
Substantial press coverage, partly fuelled by the innovative idea to hold a global auction of seats on the inaugural flight, plus strong loads on its A380 flights bear out the success of Singapore Airlines’ campaign.
“Another comprehensive and professional campaign from Singapore Airlines, which is an innovator in both aviation product and marketing, and no stranger to PATA Grand and Gold Award success.” — Judge’s comment
HERITAGE
The Pitampura Dilli Haat, Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development Corporation. India
Dilli Haat is a unique space that brings India’s old tradition of open market places to contemporary Delhi. It offers a kaleidoscope of crafts and a glimpse of the various traditions in the cultural life of India through cuisine and events.
Conceived to preserve the traditional tribal and rural arts and handicrafts of India, Dilli Haat at Pitampura, northwest Delhi is a sequel to Dilli Haat at INA in Delhi’s south. During the first 15 days after opening on April 13, more than 50,000 people visited Pittampura Dilli Haat, including many foreign tourists.
“This project has succeeded in promoting authentic Indian handicrafts to the tourist market, which is not easy to accomplish … The architecture of the space, while modern, does create the sense of a traditional bazaar.” — Judge’s comment
“Excellent people-focused and multi-dimensional combination of poverty alleviation, education, and preservation” — Judge’s comment
ENVIRONMENT
Nihiwatu Resort and The Sumba Foundation, Indonesia
Nihiwatu Resort, an upmarket hideaway destination on Sumba Island, eastern Indonesia, was conceived to benefit local communities and would not have proceeded without the approval of tribal chiefs.
After years of struggling to deliver on its social and environmental promises (via a percentage of profits, which were hard to come by), the creation of the not-for-profit Sumba Foundation, to which guests could directly donate, was a turning point for Nihiwatu. Guests are now able to see the fruits of their generosity first-hand on repeat visits.
“Last year 20% of our bookings were directly related to our social and environmental initiatives. This year, because of increased awareness, the numbers have increased to 25%. Most guests know about our humanitarian work prior to arrival.” — Claude Graves, Managing Director, Nihiwatu
“A shining example of what can be achieved when people have commitment and there is a close collaboration between local people, owners and guests … an inspiring and fascinating story that will serve as a model for other places.” — Judge’s comment
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
“We Cared and We Shared”, Cinnamon Island Alidhoo, Maldives
What began as a robust local recruitment drive for the Cinnamon Island Alidhoo resort has evolved into an unprecedented opportunity for the women and young people of Barah and Utheem islands in the Maldives to become well-trained hoteliers at the new School of Hospitality on the property.
Starting this year, US$250,000 is being invested to operate a fully-staffed school and curriculum, which is focused on providing the youth of the islands neighbouring Cinnamon Island Alidhoo with gardening, housekeeping and food and beverage skills.
“A win-win training programme initiated by the hotel to improve the local community’s livelihood while meeting its own manpower needs … an example of combining corporate social responsibility with manpower planning.” — Judge’s comment
“A moving and exciting story; a project designed and implemented by a new hotel in an area, to train local womenfolk, enhance their confidence, and develop excellent and loyal employees for the property.” — Judge’s comment
PATA GOLD AWARDS 2008
GOLD AWARDS
Marketing Awards
- PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing – Primary Government Destination
100% Pure New Zealand
Tourism New Zealand - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing – Secondary Government Destination
APEC Bonus Long Weekend Getaway
Tourism New South Wales
Department of State and Regional Development
Sydney, Australia - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing – Hospitality
No Room for the Ordinary
Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, India - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing – Industry
The Pirate Takeover Ambient Marketing Campaign
Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong SAR
Environment Awards
- PATA Gold Award 2008
Ecotourism Project
Banyan Tree Bintan Conservation Lab
Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts
Singapore - PATA Gold Award 2008
Corporate Environmental Programme
Six Senses Resorts & Spas - PATA Gold Award 2008
Environmental Education Programme
Klong Rua Village
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Heritage and Culture Awards
- PATA Gold Award 2008
Heritage
Tauck World Discovery Yellowstone Guest-Volunteer Program
Tauck World Discovery
USA - PATA Gold Award 2008
Culture
Utsavam – Kerala Arts Festival
Kerala Tourism, India
Education & Training Award
- PATA Gold Award 2008
Education and Training
Empowering Youths for a Brighter Future
Taylor’s College, School of Hospitality and Tourism, Malaysia
Marketing Media Awards
- PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing Media – Consumer Travel Brochure
Kerala Tourism Theme Brochure
Kerala Tourism, India - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing Media – Travel Advertisement Broadcast Media
Visit Malaysia Year 2007
Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia - PATA Gold Award 2008
Travel Advertisement Print Media
Experience Macau
Macau Government Tourist Office
Macau SAR - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing Media – Travel Poster
Thailand: Among Amazing Float/The Rhythm of Refreshment, Mae Taman Elephant Camp
Tourism Authority of Thailand - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing Media – Promotional Travel Video
Recharge in a New World – Sarawak, Borneo
Sarawak Convention Bureau, Malaysia - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing Media – Public Relations
100% Pure New Zealand Rugby Clubrooms, Paris, France
Tourism New Zealand - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing Media – CD-Rom
Travel Manual Interactive CD
Tourism Malaysia
Malaysia - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing Media – Website
Ngong Ping 360 – Web Site Revamp
Ngong Ping 360 Limited, Hong Kong SAR - PATA Gold Award 2008
Marketing Media – Promotional E-Newsletter
‘Intrepid Express’
Intrepid Travel, Australia
Travel Journalism Awards
- PATA Gold Award 2008
Travel Journalism — Destination Article
“Sleeping with Genius”
John Borthwick
‘Prestige’, Australia - PATA Gold Award 2008
Travel Journalism – Industry Business Article
“Aviation and Climate Change”
Kamal Gill
‘Today’s Traveller NEWSWIRE’, India - PATA Gold Award 2008
Travel Journalism – Travel Photograph
“Entrance to Kayangan Lake”
By Rosscapili, ‘Mabuhay Magazine’, September 2007
Eastgate Publishing Corporation, Philippines
HONORABLE MENTION
- PATA Gold Award 2008
Honourable Mention
Education and Training
Service Improvement Project
Guilin Tang Dynasty Tours, China PRC - PATA Gold Award 2008
Honourable Mention
Travel Journalism – Destination Article
“America’s Best Kept Secret”
By P.F. Kluge
‘National Geographic Traveler’, USA
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
