PATA Gold Awards 2023 Winners Announced

This year’s awards recognize the achievements of 23 separate organizations and individuals, including the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), Galaxy Entertainment Group, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Incheon Tourism Organization, Jeju Tourism Organization, Kerala Tourism, Korea Tourism Organization, MGM China, Nepal Tourism Board, Sabah Tourism Board, Sands China Limited, Sivatel Bangkok Hotel, SriLankan Airlines, SOTC Travel Ltd, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Fiji, and TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd.

Under the guidance of PATA headquarters, 22 independent judges from around the world selected the winners of the 21 Gold Awards and two Grand Title Winners.

The PATA Grand Title Winners were presented with outstanding entries in two principal categories: Marketing and Sustainability and Social Responsibility.

MGM China, China, received the PATA Gold Award 2023 Grand Title in Marketing for its “Turning A Traditional Cultural Symbol Into A Marketing Catalyst” campaign.

Ten years ago, MGM launched the Lion IP brand strategy with the first Lion Dance Championship, leveraging the lion dance – an internationally recognized Lingnan culture icon — and turning this local cultural symbol into a long-term brand engagement strategy.

The company proposed the development concept of “tourism+”, which champions local culture as its central theme under the Lion IP strategy.

Using this one element, the team injected new vitality with modern techniques to create multiple touch points and experiences that ranged from art, exhibitions, and performances, to competitions and training programs.

These initiatives transformed a common, everyday language into a powerful cultural symbol that was embraced by audiences of all ages, transcending generations and regions.

The success of this strategy is seen through the results that proved how it resonates—and continues to resonate—with a local and global audience. Just as importantly, the strategy has not only inspired MGM but also reinvigorated the city of Macau.

The PATA Gold Award 2023 Grand Title in Sustainability and Social Responsibility was awarded to Waterbom Bali, Indonesia, for its innovative ‘Karmic Returns’ program.

The renowned waterpark, located in Bali, Indonesia, is at the forefront of sustainability practices. Since becoming the first waterpark to achieve carbon neutrality in 2017, Waterbom has set ambitious goals to become the world’s leading sustainable waterpark, focusing on waste, water, and energy reduction.

Through its vigilant ‘Green Team,’ the park meticulously monitors, records, and reports its resource consumption, fostering a team culture of ecological awareness. Waterbom employs various methods to conserve water, including rainwater harvesting and a closed-loop filtration system, while also replacing groundwater with recharge wells.

The park has an onsite waste management facility, where they create their own compost for gardens. In Q1 2023, they achieved a 97% recycling rate for materials and reduced waste sent to landfills to just 3.4%. Sustainability is deeply ingrained in the park’s ethos, influencing staff training and all operational facets.

This highlights Waterbom Bali’s exceptional dedication to environmental responsibility.

PATA Grand Title Winners 2023 

1. Marketing
   Turning A Traditional Cultural Symbol Into A Marketing Catalyst
   MGM China, China
2. Sustainability and Social Responsibility
   Karmic Returns
   Waterbom Bali, Indonesia

PATA Gold Award Winners 2023 – Marketing

1. Marketing Campaign (National – Asia)
   Through the lens of GenZ
   Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong SAR
2. Marketing Campaign (National – Pacific)
   Where Happiness Comes Naturally
   Tourism Fiji, Fiji
3. Marketing Campaign (State and city – Global)
   Pack Up for Kerala
   Kerala Tourism, India
4. Marketing – Carrier
   Around the Island
   SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka
5. Marketing – Hospitality
   Melco Style x B. Duck @ Studio City
   Melco, Macao, China
6. Marketing – Industry
   Kick – starting travel again & connecting diverse Indian traveler
   SOTC Travel Ltd, India
7. Digital Marketing Campaign
   Incheon smart tourism project
   Incheon Tourism Organization, Korea (ROK)
8. Printed Marketing Campaign
   Korea Unique Venue Promotion Project
   Korea Tourism Organization, Korea (ROK)
9. Travel Video
   Catching Sabah
   Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia  
10. Travel Photograph
    A Valley in Bloom
    Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand
11. Destination Article
    Hiking in Australia’s Healing Lands
    Rachel Lees, Australia 
12. Business Article
    Fancy Feasts
    TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd, Singapore    

PATA Gold Award Winners 2023 – Sustainability & Social Responsibility

1. Climate Change Initiative
   Galaxy Entertainment Group Environmental and Sustainability Practices
   Galaxy Entertainment Group, Macao, China
2. Corporate and Social Responsibility
   Beacon of Sustainability
   Sivatel Bangkok Hotel, Thailand  
3. Community-Based Tourism
   Kareum Stay
   Jeju Tourism Organization, Korea (ROK) 
4. Culture
   The Revitalization of Old Phetchaburi Town Riverside Community through the Establishment of Cultural Community-Based Tourism
   Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration – DASTA, Thailand
5. Heritage
   Rejuvenating and Appreciating
   MGM China, China
6. Human Capital Development Initiative
   Sands Retail Academy – “Ticket To A Lifestyle Journey”
   Sands China Limited, Macao, China
7. Tourism Destination Resilience (Asia Pacific)
   Alabao Bay Secret Land Reappearance Plan
   Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Chinese Taipei
8. Tourism for All
   Leofoo Senior Travel Service
   Leofoo Tourism Group, Chinese Taipei
9. Women Empowerment Initiative
   Sustainability and Social Responsibility
   Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal

Judges for the PATA Gold Awards 2023 were