PATA has named Yeji Cho, assistant manager at the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), as the Grand Winner of the 2025 PATA Face of the Future Award.
Cho has played a key role in strengthening KTO’s partnerships with organisations such as the UN World Tourism Organization and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. She has contributed to expanding the PATA–KTO Internship Programme and helped secure Gyeongsangbuk-do Province as the host for the 2026 PATA Annual Summit. From 2021 to 2023, Cho led KTO’s Accessible Tourism Project, improving travel infrastructure and education for tourists with disabilities, which earned KTO the PATA Gold Award 2022 for Tourism for All.
As the 2025 Face of the Future, Cho will join the PATA Board representing youth and will participate as a panellist at the PATA Knowledge Forum 2025.
Three other professionals were recognised for their achievements: Poornaka Delpachitra of Intrepid Travel for Sustainability Initiatives; Bella Vongvisitsin of Hong Kong Metropolitan University for Strategic Management; and Nikhil Jeet of DDP Group for Leadership.
Cho shared: “Receiving this award is a meaningful milestone in my journey through tourism. I hope this award might inspire other young people to believe in their ability to create global impact. By sharing our stories and experiences, I believe we can shape a more inclusive and meaningful future through tourism.”
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid commented: “I sincerely congratulate Ms Yeji Cho on this well-deserved recognition. It reflects her dedication, skills, and achievements, qualities that will undoubtedly inspire other young professionals in our industry. Her contribution exemplifies the potential of the next generation of tourism leaders in the Asia-Pacific, and the innovative, determined, and resilient spirit they bring to shaping a new era for our sector.
“My commendations also extend to the other three recognised youths, all the nominees, and every young person working hard for our industry. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. You are the key to our future and the ones who will define it.”
