Cebu (Philippines) – June 3, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has presented a number of awards to various individuals to recognize their contributions to the responsible development of the travel and tourism sector in the Asia-Pacific region.

The following awards were presented at the PATA Annual Summit 2019 in Cebu, Philippines: PATA Life Membership, PATA Chairman Award, PATA Face of the Future Award and a PATA Honorary Membership.

“The annual PATA Summit provides the ideal opportunity to recognize industry leaders who have contributed to the responsible development of the travel and tourism industry. This year’s award winners embody the spirit of collaboration that is essential to the industry’s success,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “I warmly congratulate all the winners on their valuable contributions and thank them for their continued support of PATA and the travel and tourism industry.”

Ms. Elly Hutabarat, President and Director of PanTravel Indonesia, has been awarded PATA Honorary Membership. This award is the highest individual honor bestowed by the association and recognizes her outstanding leadership and invaluable commitment to PATA.

Ms. Hutabarat is currently President and Director of Pantravel, Chairwoman of Ayuberga, General Sales Agent for Saudi Arabian Airlines, Chairwoman of Intrareps, Honorary Commissioner of Coca Cola Amatil Indonesia and Commissioner of PAN Maritime Wira Pawitra – Shipping Company.

Furthermore, she was president of the Indonesian-Australian Economic Council (2004–2006) and the ASEAN Tourism Association (2009–2011). Elly is still a board member of PATA and president of both the Association of Ticket Agencies in Indonesia (ASTINDO) and the Certification Body for Air Transport Services and Agencies.

The PATA Chairperson's Award was presented by Dr. Chris Bottrill, Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts and Director of International Affairs at Capilano University in North Vancouver, Canada, to PATA Life Member Dato Haji Azizan Noordin.

Dato' Haji Azizan Noordin was the former Chief Executive Officer of the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and led its operations and management with three strategic priorities: tourism, investment and community development.

He began his career in the tourism and hospitality industry in 1978 as a Tourist Officer at the Tourist Development Corporation Malaysia, now known as the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board. Since then, he has held various management positions, including managing Tourism Malaysia's overseas offices in Seoul, Korea (Republic of Korea), and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Dato' Azizan Noordin has retired as Deputy Director General (Advertising) of Tourism Malaysia. He was responsible for managing the organization's operations and promotional activities across all 44 Tourism Malaysia offices abroad. He led Tourism Malaysia's overseas sales delegations and was a sought-after speaker at numerous international tourism seminars and conferences.

The 2019 PATA "Face of the Future" award was presented to Flori-Anne Dela Cruz, Youth Representative on the Board of the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB). This award is given annually to an outstanding young talent in the industry who has demonstrated initiative and leadership in promoting tourism and has worked in line with PATA's mission for the sustainable development of the travel industry in the Asia-Pacific region. It is the highest accolade for young tourism professionals in the region.

Ms. Flori-Anne Dela Cruz was recently appointed by the newly elected Governor of Guam, Lourdes Leon Guerrero, as the youth representative on the board of the Guam Business Association (GVB). She currently works as a marketing specialist at ASC Trust, the largest provider of pension administration services in Micronesia.