Lizam Dorji from Bhutan Named PATA Face of the Future 2026

Four Emerging Tourism Leaders Recognised for Excellence in Student Development, Strategic Management, Leadership and Sustainability

KUCHING, Malaysia, August 18, 2026 - The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced Ms. Lizam Dorji, CEO of MICE Bhutan (A subsidiary of Druk Asia), as the Grand Winner of the 2026 PATA Face of the Future Award, recognising her leadership, innovation and commitment to shaping a more meaningful and sustainable future for tourism.

In addition, four outstanding young tourism professionals have been recognised for their achievements in key areas of tourism development: Mr. Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed, former Chair of the PATA Malaysia Taylor's Student Chapter, for Student Excellence; Ms. Orawan Dinsor, Team Leader - Travelplan (Latin Markets) at Asian Trails, for Strategic Management; Ms. Alevtina Borodulina, Lead Heritage Consultant at Aquamarine Projects, for Leadership; and Ms. Uyanga Galbadrakh, Co-Founder & CEO of WildMongolia, for Sustainability Initiatives.

Since 2002, the PATA Face of the Future Award has recognised exceptional young professionals across the Asia Pacific region for their leadership, innovation and dedication to sustainable tourism development. It is PATA's most prestigious honour for emerging leaders in the travel and tourism industry.

"I sincerely congratulate Ms. Lizam Dorji on being named the 2026 PATA Face of the Future," said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. "This recognition reflects her leadership and contribution to the tourism industry, as well as the potential of the next generation of tourism professionals to shape a more innovative, responsible and meaningful future for our sector.

"This year, we received a record number of applications, with an exceptionally high calibre of entries that made the judging process particularly challenging. Each submission demonstrated the talent, creativity and commitment that make them among the finest in the travel and tourism industry. My congratulations also extend to our four Special Recognition recipients and all this year's nominees. Their achievements reflect the remarkable talent and dedication of professionals across our industry, and we are proud to provide a platform that recognises excellence and supports their continued development."

Lizam Dorji Named 2026 PATA Face of the Future

As CEO of MICE Bhutan (A subsidiary of Druk Asia), Ms. Lizam Dorji is helping shape the development of Bhutan's Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, creating new opportunities for economic growth, knowledge exchange and international engagement. Before returning to Bhutan, she built more than five years of experience in Thailand with the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall, where she managed international conferences, United Nations events, corporate meetings and large-scale conventions involving up to 4,000 participants.

Ms. Dorji returned to Bhutan to apply her international experience to the country's growing MICE sector, with a vision of creating professional opportunities for young Bhutanese and positioning Bhutan as a destination for meaningful global dialogue. Her commitment to tourism extends beyond business events, including a partnership with the Youth Development Fund to plant 2,664 flowering trees with guests across Bhutan over three years, as well as collaboration with the Department of Culture to help revitalise three nationally significant museums.

Through her leadership, international experience and commitment to responsible tourism development, Ms. Dorji is helping demonstrate how tourism can create lasting benefits for communities while preserving Bhutan's cultural and environmental values. As the 2026 PATA Face of the Future, she will serve on the PATA Board for one year beginning in 2027, representing the youth community and bringing the perspectives of the next generation of tourism leaders to the Association's leadership.

"Winning the PATA Face of the Future 2026 award is an incredible honour, and I am deeply grateful to PATA and everyone who has supported my journey. This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the many young tourism professionals across the region working to shape a more sustainable and meaningful future for our industry.

"I truly believe that tourism can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. Through our work at MICE Bhutan, we hope to demonstrate that business events can go far beyond commerce. By designing programmes that create authentic cultural exchanges and support local communities, we aim to reflect Bhutan's philosophy of sustainability and Gross National Happiness.

"This recognition deeply motivates me to do more, push boundaries, and empower the next generation of tourism leaders. My hope is to inspire other young professionals to view travel not merely as a career, but as a meaningful platform to protect cultural heritage, uplift host communities, and preserve the environment. I look forward to learning from my peers at the Youth Symposium as we work toward a more purposeful future together," said Ms. Dorji.

Four Emerging Leaders Recognised

In addition to the Grand Winner, four outstanding young professionals were recognised for their achievements in key areas of tourism leadership and development.

Mr. Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed - Student Excellence

A Maldivian national and final-year student of the Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Honours) at Taylor's University in Malaysia, Mr. Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed was recognised for his leadership and contribution to student development. He recently completed his term as President of the PATA Malaysia Taylor's Student Chapter and currently serves as President of the PATA Malaysia Chapter Student Wing. Under his leadership, the Student Chapter delivered a range of initiatives, including destination trips involving students from multiple universities, a Youth Symposium debate attended by more than 200 students from five universities, student talk series and professional development activities. Beyond PATA, he has helped organise more than 40 events through Taylor's University Student Council and student clubs, while gaining experience in destination marketing and marine conservation through organisations including Visit Maldives Corporation and the Olive Ridley Project.

"I am deeply honoured to be named a Special Recognition Winner for Student Excellence of the PATA Face of the Future 2026. I grew up in the Maldives, where the ocean shaped my childhood and tourism sustains my country, and where I learned early that the industry can either harm the reefs I grew up diving or fund their protection, depending on how it is led. My sincere thanks go to PATA for investing in young people, to Taylor's University and my lecturers for their guidance, to the PATA Malaysia Chapter, and to my committee at the PATA Malaysia Taylor's Student Chapter, whose hard work stands behind everything we achieved together, and to my family back home for their constant support. This recognition strengthens my commitment to sustainable tourism and to bringing the perspective of small island nations into regional conversations. To my fellow students across Asia Pacific: our generation will inherit this industry, and the work of protecting the places we love begins now. I hope to keep serving the youth networks that shaped my journey, and to help the next generation of tourism leaders find theirs," said Mr. Ahmed.

Ms. Orawan Dinsor - Strategic Management

Ms. Orawan Dinsor, Team Leader - Travelplan (Latin Markets) at Asian Trails, was recognised for her strategic management, leadership and ability to deliver high-quality tourism experiences in a dynamic international operating environment. Since 2024, she has led the Latin team for the Travelplan Project, managing operations that welcome more than 1,000 Spanish travellers each month. Her experience across operations and customer service has strengthened her ability to respond to challenges, solve problems under pressure and continuously improve both guest experiences and operational performance. A Thai, English and Spanish speaker, Ms. Dinsor places collaboration, empathy and empowerment at the centre of her leadership approach and is committed to creating meaningful connections between travellers, destinations and local communities.

"Strategy is not just about making the right decisions-it is about empowering the right people to make a difference.

"Receiving the PATA Face of the Future 2026 - Special Recognition for Strategic Management is a tremendous honour and a meaningful milestone in my career. I am deeply grateful to PATA, my colleagues, mentors, partners, and everyone who has supported my journey.

"Working in tourism has taught me that strategic management is about more than planning and operations. It is about building trust, fostering collaboration, embracing innovation, and creating meaningful connections between destinations, travellers, and local communities. Every challenge has strengthened my belief that true leadership is rooted in resilience, adaptability, and a shared vision.

"Representing Thailand while working with international markets has shown me the power of tourism to connect cultures and create lasting positive impact. This recognition inspires me to continue promoting sustainable tourism, operational excellence, and the development of future leaders.

"I hope my journey encourages others to lead with integrity, curiosity, and purpose, because the future of tourism is shaped not only by the destinations we promote, but by the people we inspire along the way," said Ms. Dinsor.

Ms. Alevtina Borodulina - Leadership

Ms. Alevtina Borodulina, Lead Heritage Consultant at Aquamarine Projects, was recognised for her leadership in heritage, cultural tourism and community engagement. A social anthropologist by training, she has conducted fieldwork across Russia and Europe and developed immersive exhibition concepts, multimedia storytelling and cultural projects that place communities and their stories at the centre of visitor experiences. In 2024, she spent six months conducting ethnographic fieldwork with the Bidayuh indigenous community in Sarawak, Malaysia, as part of a tourism masterplan, building trust with the community and translating local knowledge into practical frameworks for cultural identity and ethical, participatory community engagement. Her work reflects a commitment to developing tourism that shares culture responsibly while ensuring communities play a meaningful role in shaping how their heritage is presented and experienced.

"It is with deep gratitude that I accept the PATA Face of the Future in Leadership recognition. As a social anthropologist working between museums, indigenous communities, and emerging tourism projects, I have seen how fragile cultural memory can be - and how powerful it becomes when thoughtfully woven into travel experiences. This award tells me that there is space, at the very centre of our industry, for leadership rooted in listening, care, and long-term relationships with the places and people we work with.

"I am honoured to bring Aquamarine's heritage-led approach into the PATA community, and to learn from fellow leaders across the Asia Pacific. My hope is that, together, we will keep asking hard questions about how culture is represented, who benefits from tourism, and how we can design destinations that leave communities stronger, not just more visible. I look forward to collaborating, sharing our frameworks from Sarawak and beyond, and contributing to the next chapter of PATA's story," said Ms. Borodulina.

Ms. Uyanga Galbadrakh - Sustainability Initiatives

Ms. Uyanga Galbadrakh, Co-Founder & CEO of WildMongolia, was recognised for her innovative approach to sustainable tourism, community empowerment and cultural preservation. After working in IT and strategy consulting in Tokyo, she returned to Mongolia in 2022 and co-founded WildMongolia with a vision of making nomadic life economically viable while preserving Mongolia's cultural heritage. Under her leadership, the company has grown into the second-largest player in Mongolia's luxury tourism market, while its Pop-Up Ger Camp in western Mongolia is designed and led by local Mongolian and Kazakh nomads, supporting 50 families directly and more than 300 people indirectly since April 2025. Ms. Galbadrakh has also supported conservation initiatives, including a programme providing winter care for orphaned bear cubs, with five cubs successfully released since April 2025.

"Receiving the PATA Face of the Future 2026 - Special Recognition for Sustainability Initiatives is a profound honour that validates what we set out to prove: that luxury tourism can make traditional nomadic life economically viable again. I returned to Mongolia in 2022 after a decade in Tokyo because our ancient culture was fading as young people left for cities. In three years, WildMongolia has become Mongolia's second-largest luxury tourism company by empowering local communities to lead - not just participate.

"I am deeply grateful to PATA for this recognition. It proves that sustainability and commercial success are not opposites - they are partners. This award belongs to every nomadic family, artisan, and guide who trusted this vision. Together, we are building proof that tourism can be regenerative, that cultural preservation can drive prosperity, and that when we empower people with deep local knowledge, everyone wins. I hope this inspires other young professionals across Asia Pacific to pursue bold ideas that serve both people and the planet," said Ms. Galbadrakh

PATA will share further profiles and achievements of the 2026 PATA Face of the Future Award recipients through its communication channels.

For more information, please visit www.pata.org/pata-face-of-the-future or contact PATA at [email protected].