Tuesday, July 15, 2025
PATA Gold Awards, 2025, Asia Pacific Tourism, Travel Marketing, Sustainability, Social Responsibility, Marketing Excellence, DASTA, Macao Government Tourism Office, MGTO, Tourism Leadership, Sustainable Tourism, Industry Innovation, Travel Industry Awards, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid, Tourism Excellence, Creative Campaigns, Tourism Impact, Global Recognition, Travel Awards, Industry Recognition
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 PATA Gold Awards, honoring exceptional contributions to the travel and tourism sector across the Asia Pacific region. This year, a total of 20 winners were recognized in two key categories — Marketing, and Sustainability and Social Responsibility — acknowledging both creative marketing campaigns and impactful sustainability efforts by organizations and individuals.
In the Marketing category, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) emerged as the Grand Title Winner, while in the Sustainability and Social Responsibility category, the Grand Title Winner accolade went to the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) or DASTA.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid stated, “The PATA Gold Awards remain a prestigious benchmark in the travel and tourism industry — honouring those who lead with purpose, innovate with impact, and contribute meaningfully to the industry. This year, we have refined the award categories to better reflect the industry’s creativity, resilience, and dedication to excellence. It is a delight to see the same spirited enthusiasm evinced in the impressive submission numbers. We sincerely thank all participants for sharing their inspiring work.
“Our deepest appreciation also goes to our independent judging panel, whose integrity and commitment ensured a fair, thoughtful, and rigorous evaluation process across all categories.”
Mr Hamid added, “We warmly congratulate the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, our esteemed Grand Title Winners, along with all this year’s recipients. Your achievements continue to raise the bar and inspire a more responsible, inclusive, and impactful future for tourism in the region.”
MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said, “The winning initiatives of the PATA Gold Awards are a breath of fresh air for the tourism industry. It is energizing to see the new approaches and commitment displayed by the awardees in marketing, as well as sustainability and social responsibility. Macao is honored to support this PATA initiative for 30 years and contribute to encouraging more diversity and sustainability in the tourism industry in our destination and globally.”
This year’s winners were chosen from over 100 submissions by 45 travel and tourism entities and individuals.
The 20 honorees will be recognized at PATA Travel Mart 2025, set to take place on August 27 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand. To commemorate their accomplishments, the 28 winning entries will be highlighted in a special video shown during the event and featured in the 2025 PATA Gold Awards booklet, set for release in August.
In addition, the prestigious PATA Gold Award 2025 Grand Titles were awarded to two distinguished organizations:
MGTO earned the highly coveted PATA Gold Award 2025 Grand Title in Marketing for its “Experience Macao Limited Edition” campaign. This interactive online game allowed users to explore Macao, China virtually while competing for exclusive, limited-edition travel experiences.
The campaign leveraged a comprehensive mix of digital and marketing strategies, including CGI teasers, a music video with K-pop sensation Miyeon, a dedicated KLOOK landing page, key opinion leader (KOL) partnerships, PR efforts, out-of-home advertising, and influencer activations. The outcome was a significant increase in global visibility and engagement, achieving 5.16 billion in media exposure and driving real-world traffic to Macao.
DASTA earned the prestigious PATA Gold Award 2025 Grand Title in Marketing for its initiative, “Sustainable Cultural Heritage Preservation of the Ban Na Ton Chan Homestay Community Enterprise.” This homestay offers guests an immersive glimpse into local traditions, handicrafts, and folk arts, fostering enriching cultural exchanges.
With a vision of “Creating strength towards sustainability in all dimensions,” the project showcases traditional attire, performances, and craftsmanship, which have become key sources of income for the community. By effectively utilizing online platforms to promote its offerings, the homestay has witnessed a remarkable surge in visitors and revenue, ensuring the preservation of its cultural heritage for future generations.
The full results of the PATA Gold Awards 2025, along with the list of distinguished judges, are attached.
The PATA Gold Awards 2025 honors outstanding achievements in tourism across the Asia Pacific, recognizing excellence in marketing, sustainability, and innovation. The Macao Government Tourism Office and DASTA were celebrated for their impactful campaigns and dedication to sustainable tourism, showcasing leadership in the industry.
PATA Gold Awards 2025 – Grand Title Winners:
- Marketing
- Winner: Macao Government Tourism Office
- Submission: Experience Macao Limited Edition
- Sustainability & Social Responsibility
- Winner: Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)
- Submission: Sustainable Cultural Heritage Preservation of the Ban Na Ton Chan Homestay Community Enterprise
PATA Gold Award Winners 2025 – Marketing Category (16 Award Categories):
- Best Destination Marketing Campaign (Destination Marketing Organisation – Asia)
- Winner: Sarawak Tourism Board
- Submission: Sarawak Gateway to Borneo
- Best Destination Marketing Campaign (Destination Marketing Organisation – Pacific)
- Winner: Tahiti Tourisme
- Submission: Follow Your Feelings in The Islands of Tahiti
- Best Marketing Campaign – Carrier (Airline, Cruise, Airport)
- Winner: SriLankan Airlines Limited
- Submission: The Ramayana Trail Campaign
- Best Marketing Campaign – Hospitality (Hotel, Resort, or Management Company)
- Winner: Melco Resorts & Entertainment
- Submission: Studio City – Sanrio Campaign
- Best Marketing Campaign – Industry (Any other Tourism Business)
- Winner: Flymya
- Submission: Travel Easy, Travel Smart
- Best Integrated Digital Marketing Campaign (Destination)
- Winner: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
- Submission: The ‘Love Season’ Initiative
- Best Integrated Digital Marketing Campaign (Industry)
- Winner: SOTC Travel Limited
- Submission: Saare Jahan Se Achha India Humara
- Best Printed Marketing Campaign (Destination)
- Winner: Tourism and Travel Bureau, Taichung City Government
- Submission: FUN! Taichung, Explore Taichung from A to Z
- Best Printed Marketing Campaign (Industry)
- Winner: Sands China Ltd.
- Submission: Sands China’s Community Revitalization Programme for Rua das Estalagens
- Best Sustainable and Inclusive Marketing Campaign
- Winner: Macao Government Tourism Office
- Submission: A New Standard of Excellence
- Best Destination Article
- Winner: Rachel Lees – Freelance Writer
- Submission: The Kimberley’s Shifting Tides
- Best Industry Article
- Winner: TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd
- Submission: TTG Asia Luxury September-October 2024, Rise of Chinese female explorers
- Best Use of Emerging Technology in Marketing
- Winner: Korea Tourism Organization
- Submission: Smart Solutions for Regional Tourism Challenges Project
- Most Engaging Social Media Campaign
- Winner: Kerala Tourism
- Submission: Meme-led Makeover Campaign
- Best Travel Photography
- Winner: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
- Submission: The Hidden Romance of Sam Roi Yot
- Best Travel Video
- Winner: Korea Tourism Organization
- Submission: Jeonju Rhapsody (The Official Anthem) by Steve Barakatt
PATA Gold Award Winners 2025 – Sustainability & Social Responsibility (10 Award Categories):
- Best Climate Action Initiative (Destination)
- Winner: Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)
- Submission: Carbon Neutral Community-based Tourism Prototype
- Best Climate Action Initiative (Industry)
- Winner: Waterbom Bali
- Submission: Small Island, Big Goals: Waterbom Bali’s Net Zero 2033 Commitment
- Best Cultural Heritage Preservation Initiative
- Winner: School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Taylor’s University
- Submission: Lenggong Valley Heritage Revival
- Best Ecosystem & Wildlife Conservation Initiative
- Winner: Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts
- Submission: Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project
- Best Human Capital Development Programme
- Winner: Leofoo Tourism Group
- Submission: Leofoo H(earing)-I(mpaired) Team
- Community-Based Tourism Excellence
- Winner: Jeju Tourism Organization
- Submission: The Four Pillars of Jeju Community-based Tourism: Policy Initiatives, focusing on Intangible Cultural Heritage of Jeju HaeNyeo
- Destination Resilience (All Destinations)
- Winner: Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)
- Submission: Creative Spaces Revitalizing the Old Town into a Lively Heritage District
- Tourism for All: Best Inclusion and Diversity Initiative
- Winner: Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)
- Submission: Community-based tourism for All
- Best Women Empowerment Initiative
- Winner: Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)
- Submission: A Case Study of Ban San Thang Luang, Chiang Rai Province
- Best Youth Empowerment Initiative
- Winner: Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)
- Submission: SE For Youth in Thailand-Loei Youth Saving Group
