The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) awarded seven organisations and individuals for exemplary services to travel and tourism at the association’s annual conference in Kuala Lumpur, April 21.

• The PATA Thailand Chapter won the 2011 Spirit of PATA Award for building industry relations within the Thailand tourism industry.

• The PATA Thailand Japan Chapter won the 2011 Award of Excellence for tourism recovery work following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami

• Mr Justin Malcolm, founding Chairman of the PATA Chiang Rai Chapter in Thailand and General Manager of the Le Meridien Chaing Rai Resort won the PATA Face of the Future Award for proactive industry relations in northern Thailand’s tourism sector

• Ms Muriel Anderson, Chairperson of the PATA Hawaii Chapter, won an Award of Merit for dedicating her professional career to the development of travel and tourism in Hawaii

• Mr Tom Nutley, Treasurer and former Chairman of PATA UK Chapter won an Award of Merit for many years of contribution to the work of both the PATA UK Chapter and to the PATA Board and assorted committees.

• Mr Ram Kohli of Creative Travel in India won the 2011-2012 PATA Chairman’s Award. For nearly 40 years, Mr Kohli has played a leading role in developing India’s inbound travel industry and has also served as PATA Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer.

• Mr Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, won the inaugural PATA Award for Exceptional Service to Aviation for running Malaysia Airports in a profitable way that enables airlines to expand services while keeping costs down.

PATA CEO Martin Craigs said: “Each winner has served the travel industry in Asia Pacific in an impeccable and proactive manner. The whole of PATA salutes them for their professionalism and dedication.”