April 24, 2025 TnH Global

PATA Honours Tourism Leaders at PATA Annual Summit in İstanbul, Türkiye

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) honoured two distinguished leaders in the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry during the PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025) in İstanbul, Türkiye.

In recognition of their longstanding service and significant contributions to the Association, the PATA Life Membership Award was bestowed upon Dr Chris Bottrill, Associate Vice President, International, Capilano University, and the PATA Award of Merit was presented to SanJeet, Director, DDP Publications Private Limited.

L/R: Dr Chris Bottrill, Associate Vice President, International, Capilano University, and SanJeet, Director, DDP Publications Private Limited, with Peter Semone, Chair, PATA and Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA.

The awards ceremony took place during the PAS 2025 Welcome Dinner Reception and PATA Awards Presentation on Tuesday, April 22, graciously hosted by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA).

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid congratulated the two individuals on this recognition, stating, “These honours reflect not only the remarkable dedication, passion, and leadership of the recipients, but also the profound and lasting impact they have made on the Association and the wider travel and tourism community. PATA is delighted to celebrate Dr Chris Bottrill and Mr SanJeet, two visionary individuals whose contributions have helped shape the future of our industry, on this special and memorable evening.”

Dr Bottrill was presented with the PATA Life Membership Award, the Association’s highest individual honour, which recognises individuals for their outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to PATA.

Since joining the Association in 2011, he has served in several key roles, including Chair of the Human Capital Development Committee, Vice Chair of the Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee, and Chair of the Executive Board. He has been instrumental in driving initiatives focused on youth engagement, sustainability, and Indigenous tourism, including a recent study on human rights in tourism.

Dr Bottrill now directs the PATA-supported Vietnam Community Tourism project, which works to protect and promote ethnic hill tribe culture through responsible tourism. In his current role as Associate Vice President, International, Capilano University, he oversees a wide and complex portfolio of university internationalisation, international projects and partnerships, tourism and hospitality, film, animation and design programming.

The PATA Award of Merit was presented to Mr SanJeet in recognition of his tireless contribution to the Association and his long-standing support of the PATA Chapter network.

A two-term Member of the Executive Board and a dedicated PATA board member for over 18 years, Mr SanJeet has played key roles across various PATA committees and leadership positions, including with the PATA India Chapter. He was an instrumental force in bringing PATA Travel Mart, one of Asia Pacific’s longest-standing region-wide travel trade exhibitions, to New Delhi, India, in 2023.

As the Director of DDP Publications – a steadfast advocate and long-standing member of PATA for over 25 years, having joined the Association in 1999 – Mr SanJeet oversees the publication of ten travel industry magazines, including two based in Dubai. He has represented major international exhibitions and launched his own series of trade shows in partnership with PLG Group in Bangkok, focusing on luxury, MICE, weddings, and allied industries.