Langkawi, 9th September 2021 – Langkawi Development Authority has topped ‘Heritage Article’ category in the international Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards 2021.

This time, the prestigious award which has been organised for the past 26 years was held virtually on 8th September 2021 considering the worldwide spread of COVID-19 virus that has yet to subside.

Virtually present on behalf of LADA to receive the award was Encik Azmil Munif bin Mohd Bukhari, Manager of Tourism Division.

PATA Gold Awards 2021 sponsored by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) was judged by international evaluation panel comprising 18 independent individuals from Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Australia. This year’s awards attracted a total of 113 entries from 51 travel and tourism organisations and individuals.

In total, 20 award categories were contended in two principal categories related to tourism namely Marketing as well as Sustainability and Social Responsibility. 18 different ‘Gold Awards’ categories were presented to global winners including LADA. The main ‘Grand Title Winners’ category were respectively awarded to two ‘Best of the Best’ contenders in the two principal categories mentioned.

According to Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of MGTO, PATA Gold Awards is organised every year as a stage to honour and allow some of the best practices in travel and tourism industry from every country. Such will provide the opportunity for society to learn the techniques and methods implemented by various public and private tourism stakeholders in moving forward towards creating a more responsible and sustainable industry.

LADA is honoured to receive such respected recognition by PATA in this occasion. May the presented award become one of the main sources of inspiration that will motivate LADA to ensure Langkawi’s tourism sector is also moving towards prioritising sustainability and social responsibility, particularly in facing the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic era.