PATA Honours Five Young Leaders, Lizam Dorji Named Grand Winner
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has recognised five emerging professionals through its 2026 Face of the Future honours. Lizam Dorji, CEO of MICE Bhutan, received the Grand Winner award, with four others earning Special Recognition for their contributions to student excellence, strategic management, leadership, and sustainability initiatives within the Asia-Pacific tourism sector.
PATA Celebrates Emerging Talent in Asia-Pacific Tourism
PATA announced its 2026 Face of the Future honours on Monday, August 17, recognising five individuals for their leadership and commitment to the tourism industry. Lizam Dorji, Chief Executive Officer of MICE Bhutan, a subsidiary of Druk Asia, was named the Grand Winner. The awards ceremony took place during the Executive Board & Board Members Networking Reception.
Four other professionals received Special Recognition awards across distinct categories. Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed, former chair of the PATA Malaysia Taylor’s Student Chapter, was acknowledged for Student Excellence. Orawan Dinsor, a team leader for Travelplan (Latin Markets) at Asian Trails, received recognition for Strategic Management. Alevtina Borodulina, lead heritage consultant at Aquamarine Projects, was honoured for Leadership, while Uyanga Galbadrakh, co-founder and CEO of WildMongolia, secured the award for Sustainability Initiatives. These accolades highlight PATA's focus on nurturing future leaders who drive responsible sector growth across the region.
Lizam Dorji's Contributions to Bhutanese MICE and Culture
Lizam Dorji's Grand Winner title acknowledges her significant work in shaping Bhutan’s MICE sector, creating avenues for economic growth and international engagement. Her background includes over five years working in Thailand with the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall, where she managed international conferences and large-scale conventions. In Bhutan, Dorji has led notable projects, including a partnership with the Youth Development Fund that resulted in the planting of 2,664 flowering trees alongside guests. She also collaborated with Bhutan’s Department of Culture to revitalise three museums of national importance.
Her recognition extends beyond this award; Dorji will serve on the PATA Board for one year, commencing in 2027, representing the youth community. This appointment underscores PATA's commitment to integrating younger perspectives into its strategic direction. Dorji stated that this recognition reflects the efforts of many young tourism professionals across the region working to shape a more sustainable future for the industry.
PATA's Enduring Commitment to Youth and Sustainable Development
Since its inception in 2002, the PATA Face of the Future Award has consistently acknowledged exceptional young professionals throughout the Asia-Pacific region for their leadership and dedication to sustainable tourism development. PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid congratulated Lizam Dorji, noting that the recognition demonstrates her leadership and contribution to the tourism industry. Hamid added that the award also shows the potential of the next generation of tourism professionals to shape a more innovative, responsible, and meaningful future for the sector.
The awards programme serves as a platform to identify and promote individuals who are making tangible impacts in their respective fields, from student engagement to large-scale strategic and sustainability projects. By celebrating these achievements, PATA reinforces its mission to foster a robust and forward-looking travel and tourism industry in Asia-Pacific.
Implications for Asia-Pacific Tourism Development
The 2026 PATA Face of the Future awards reveal a continued emphasis within the Asia-Pacific tourism industry on fostering new leadership and integrating sustainable practices. The recognition of individuals like Lizam Dorji, with her specific work in MICE development and cultural heritage preservation in Bhutan, highlights the growing importance of niche tourism sectors and responsible growth models. For the industry, these awards demonstrate PATA’s proactive approach to identifying talent that can drive future innovation and address environmental and social challenges. Dorji’s forthcoming appointment to the PATA Board in 2027 further shows the organisation’s commitment to ensuring youth voices influence strategic decisions.
This focus suggests that industry stakeholders, from national tourism organisations to private operators, will likely see increased collaboration with emerging leaders and a sustained push towards integrating sustainability across all facets of travel planning and destination management in the coming years.
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