The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the launch of the Tourism InSPIRE Awards 2015 to recognise organisations and businesses that demonstrate excellence in social, environmental, and economic sustainability in tourism.
The deadline to submit applications is 16 October 2015, and there is no entry fee to submit applications.  This new award program, supported by EU-SWITCH-Asia RPSC (Regional Policy Support Component), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and PATA, identifies and commends excellence in sustainable tourism by granting awards to travel and tourism organisations that demonstrate outstanding practices and performances within the three pillars of sustainability. Award criteria were developed based upon sustainable consumption and production principles and existing, internationally recognised sustainable tourism standards such those developed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and by the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

PATA CEO Mario Hardy said: “This is an exciting joint initiative, which celebrates best practices in tourism by recognising those organisations that demonstrate leadership in sustainable tourism. It is a wonderful opportunity for the Asian tourism industry to share their stories with the rest of the community, exemplifying what can be done to make a sustainable and lasting impact in our community.” Entries are now welcome from a broad range of travel and tourism businesses and organisations in the 19 designated countries. Organisations representing the seven award categories based in the 19 countries in EU SWITCH-Asia RPSC mandate are qualified to participate. These countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam may apply.

The awards categories cover accommodation providers, tour operators, destinations and community-based tourism initiatives.
Winners are offered increased visibility and acknowledgement of their outstanding sustainable tourism performance.  pecifically, winners will receive public recognition at the highest level in the region, and attain acknowledgement for their vision for sustainability, expertise and innovative work. Winners in each category will be sponsored to attend the awards presentation ceremony in Legazpi, Albay, Philippines as part of the program for the PATA New Tourism Frontiers Forum 2015 on 27 November. Winners will also receive an impressive selection of other benefits including the use of the award winner logo, being listed in the winners showcase e-booklet and worldwide media exposure. For further information, please visit sustain.PATA.org/InSPIRE or email InSPIRE@PATA.org.