Making available the facilities of the Hong Zhu Shan Hotel, the Leshan Municipal People's Government will host the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit 2015 from 23^rd to 26^th April, 2015, which will include a one-day conference, the PATA Youth Symposium, PATA Executive Board and Committee meetings, and Annual General Meeting 2015.

Meanwhile, PATA invites tourism industry organisations and individuals to join the prestigious PATA Gold Awards 2015, with the deadline for entries 30^th April, The awards presentation will take place during the PATA Travel Mart in September in India.

Leshan is one of the most mature tourist destinations in Sichuan and even China, receiving over 25 million visitors a year. The Leshan Giant Buddha of Mount Emei, a Cultural, Heritage and National 5A (the highest level of Tourism Attraction Rating Category of China) tourist attraction, draws worldwide attention due to its profound influence on Buddhist culture and is surrounded by a unique natural landscape. Other leisure activities in the area include hot springs, skiing and rural tourism.

'New Dimensions of Heritage and Culture Tourism' is the theme of this year's PATA summit and will feature domestic and international speakers on such topics as 'Preserving Heritage Sites', 'Social Media in China', and 'The Conscious Traveller'.

PATA Gold Awards 2015 will include three new marketing categories; namely, Youth Travel, Adventure Travel, and Marketing Media - Mobile Travel Application, with the deadline for entries 30^th April, 2015 by travel and tourism industry organisations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions in successfully promoting the travel industry in the Asia Pacific region. The awards presentation will take place during the PATA Travel Mart on 8^th September, 2015 in Bangalore, India.

With Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) having sponsored the PATA Gold Awards for the past 20 years, Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of MGTO, invites travel trade stakeholders to try to win the prestigious accolade, saying: “We encourage organisations and individuals to share your best practices through this far-reaching PATA programme, to take this platform to inspire the Asia Pacific region, and help plant the seeds for a responsible and sustainable future for our travel and tourism industry."

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit Association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

PATA Gold Awards details, brochure, entry form, and information about past winners are all available at www.PATA.org/goldawards.