To highlight commitment to human capital development, PATA annually presents a special award and prize to an exceptional ‘rising star’ in the industry.

All recipients of this prestigious award have exhibited initiative and leadership in the advancement of tourism as well as demonstrating commitment to the sustainable development of the Asia Pacific travel industry in line with PATA’s mission. This award is known as the PATA Face of the Future.

Key Dates

  • Call for Entries: April 1, 2024

  • Application Deadline: June 20, 2024, 11:59 PM

  • Winner Announcement: Week of June 17

  • Awarding @ PTM 2024: August 27-29, 2024

Why You Should Enter:

Benefits of Participating:

  • Recognition as the PATA Face of the Future 2024 including the use of a corresponding brand identity logo

  • Full sponsorship for participation at PATA Travel Mart 2024

  • Speaking opportunity at the PATA Youth Symposium during the PATA Travel Mart 2024 to share your story about your passion and journey to success. (Can be replaced with Virtual PATA Youth Symposium)

  • Opportunities to speak at other PATA events or partner events on behalf of PATA

  • Global media exposure via PATA’s far-reaching communication channels

  • Build your profile as a mentor for the PATA Youth Mentorship Programme to develop young tourism professional students in the region

    • Speaking and Mentoring opportunities at PATA Youth webinars and other youth events

  • One blog post on PATA Blog about your passion and journey to success 

  • Seat on the PATA Board to represent the youth community of PATA

How to Enter:

Eligibility

  • Aged 18-35 as of April 1, 2024

  • Working for a PATA member organisation as of April 1, 2024 or is undertaking postgraduate travel and tourism studies at a PATA member educational institution

Judging Criteria

  • 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

Submission Guideline

  • The candidate himself/herself OR a third-party person may submit the nomination.

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

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

Please email the entry, clearly labelled ‘PATA Face of the Future 2024 Nomination’, to Nick Chun, PATA Youth Ambassador & Membership Executive at FoF@PATA.org

Meet the 2023 PATA Face of the Future!

Sangeetha Liyanapathirana

Manager - Health, Hygiene and Sustainability, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka

“Receiving PATA Face of the Future award was a momentous milestone in my career and a recognition of my commitment to driving positive change. This journey has been nothing short of transformative, providing me with unparalleled opportunities to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, locally and globally. Through speaking engagements and collaborative endeavours, I have shared insights and experiences, inspiring future leaders to embrace sustainability and social responsibility in their professional endeavours.”

PATA Face of the Future Sponsorship

If you are looking to showcase your commitment to human capital development, gain unparalleled brand exposure, and share your initiatives with a global audience, become a Sponsor for PATA Face of the Future!

Benefits of becoming a FoF Sponsor include:

  • Announce the winner of PATA Face of the Future 2024 on stage & group photo on stage with winner

  • A 2-minute speech on stage at the Award Presentation

  • One (1) complimentary delegate registration at PATA Travel Mart 2024

  • One (1) dedicated PATA webinar or PATA Youth webinar (depending on availability) with the winner

Past PATA Face of the Future

  • 2021

    Surayyal Hizmi
    Lecturer at Lombok Tourism Polytechnic and Lecturer Advisor of the PATA Lombok Tourism Polytechnic Student Chapter, Indonesia

  • 2020

    Suresh Singh Budal
    CEO, PATA Nepal Chapter, Nepal

  • 2019

    Flori-Anne dela Cruz
    Youth representative to the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) Board of Directors, Guam

  • 2018

    Abdulla Ghyias, President, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), Maldives

  • 2017

    Faeez Fadhlillah, CEO and Co-founder, Tripfez, Malaysia

  • 2016

    Danny Ho, Executive Pastry Chef, Hotel ICON, Hong Kong SAR

  • 2015

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

  • 2014

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

  • 2013

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

  • 2012

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

  • 2011

    Tavalea Nilon, Miss Samoa 2010, Samoa

  • 2010

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

  • 2009

    Andrew Nihopara, Marketing Manager, South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Fiji

  • 2008

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

  • 2007

    Tran Trong Kien, CEO, Buffalo Tours, Vietnam

  • 2006

    Shikher Prasai, Managing Director, Natraj Tours & Travels, Nepal

  • 2005

    Sally Hollis, Manager, Tourism Council of Western Australia, Australia

  • 2004

    Silvia Sitou, Head of the Research & Planning Department, Macau Government Tourist Office, Macao, China

  • 2003

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

  • 2002

    Mayur (Mac) Patel, Founder, eTravelConsult.com, Australia

*All stated positions are as of year obtaining their award.

For further information, please drop us an email.