Photo: 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.
(IN SHORT) During the PATA Annual Summit 2025 in İstanbul, the Pacific Asia Travel Association honoured two key leaders for their exceptional contributions to the tourism industry. Dr Chris Bottrill, Associate Vice President at Capilano University, received the PATA Life Membership Award for his leadership in sustainability, youth engagement, and Indigenous tourism. SanJeet, Director of DDP Publications, was awarded the PATA Award of Merit for his decades-long commitment to the Association and his pivotal role in promoting PATA’s presence across South Asia. Their recognition underscores PATA’s focus on responsible, inclusive, and community-driven tourism.
(PRESS RELEASE) İSTANBUL, 2025-Apr-24 — /Travel PR News/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has celebrated two exemplary leaders in the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry with its most esteemed individual awards during the PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025). Held in the vibrant city of İstanbul and hosted by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), the awards ceremony took place during the Summit’s Welcome Dinner Reception on April 22.
The PATA Life Membership Award, the highest individual honour presented by the Association, was awarded to Dr Chris Bottrill, Associate Vice President, International, at Capilano University in Canada. The PATA Award of Merit was conferred upon SanJeet, Director of DDP Publications Private Limited, for his dedicated service to the Association and enduring support of the PATA Chapter network.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid praised both honourees: “These recognitions are a celebration of Dr Bottrill and Mr SanJeet’s visionary leadership and enduring dedication to the Association and the broader industry. Their work has had a lasting impact on the future of tourism in the Asia Pacific and continues to inspire the next generation of industry leaders.”
Since joining PATA in 2011, Dr Chris Bottrill has served in key capacities, including Chair of the Human Capital Development Committee, Vice Chair of the Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee, and Chair of the Executive Board. His efforts have spanned youth engagement, sustainable tourism, Indigenous community empowerment, and human rights initiatives. He currently leads the PATA-supported Vietnam Community Tourism project, promoting and preserving ethnic hill tribe culture through responsible tourism practices. In his role at Capilano University, he oversees internationalisation, global partnerships, and creative industry programming in tourism, film, animation, and design.
The PATA Award of Merit, given to individuals who have made significant contributions to PATA’s goals and mission, was presented to SanJeet for nearly three decades of continuous service. A longstanding member of the Association since 1999, he has served on the Executive Board for two terms and has held leadership roles with the PATA India Chapter. SanJeet played a pivotal role in securing PATA Travel Mart 2023 for New Delhi and has consistently elevated PATA’s visibility across South Asia and the Middle East through his publishing work. Through DDP Publications, he has launched and supported numerous travel trade shows in partnership with the PLG Group, spanning luxury, weddings, MICE, and allied sectors.
For additional photos, visit: www.flickr.com/photos/patahq/collections/72157723768819105/
Media contact:
Tel: +66 (0)2-460-9264
E-mail: communications@PATA.org
SOURCE: Pacific Asia Travel Association
