The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) 2025 successfully concluded at ITB Berlin. It was the 25th edition and was graced by tourism ministers of 10 nations, ambassadors, leaders of various hotels and airlines, industry stalwarts, and international media.
This event was preceded by the PATWA World Tourism & Aviation Leaders’ Summit on ‘AI & Sustainable Tourism.’ Secretary General Yatan Ahluwalia began the summit by stating, “AI-driven insights have the power to pave the way for a greener tomorrow, transforming tourism into a force for sustainability.” A lineup of 7 speakers was also present at the summit. These speakers included:
H.E. Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism, St. Kitts & Nevis
H.E. Carlos James, Esq., Minister of Tourism, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
H.E. Badri Prasad Pandey, Minister of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Nepal
H.E. Patricia De Lille, Minister of Tourism, South Africa,
Istvan Ujhelyi, UN Tourism Ambassador to the European Union
Dr. Alain St.Ange, Former Tourism Minister of Seychelles and candidate for the UN Tourism presidency,
Harry Theoharis, Former Tourism Minister of Greece and leading candidate for UN Tourism Secretary-General
A total of 44 awards were presented in a variety of categories at the PATWA Travel Awards, including:
Best Tourism Destination – for cities and nations that promote responsible tourism
Excellence in Hospitality – for world-class hotels and resorts
Aviation Industry Leaders – for airlines that are skilled in service, safety, and sustainability
Individual Achievements – for tourism professionals and executives shaping the industry
Excellence in Governance – for government initiatives driving tourism success
Suggested Read: Over 66 Cr Devotees Take Holy Dip in Maha Kumbh 2025
PATWA is a non-profit, non-government, professional, international media organisation established in 1999. It has over 5,000 members globally and works with governments, organisations, and companies in both the public and private sectors.