Kerala Tourism has bagged the coveted 2009 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award in the Marketing (State/City destination) category and CGH Earth for the PATA Grand Award for Environment for its entry ‘Spice Village and the Community’.

The State’s entry — ‘Dream Season in God’s Own Country’ — was judged ‘best in class’ from amongst 236 entries worldwide, a release from Kerala Tourism said. Korea’s ‘2008 Korea, Sparkling Campaign’ bagged the award for Marketing Country Destination.

‘Dream Season in God’s Country’ positioned the State as an affordable and inviting destination, making God’s Own Country an all-season’s destination. It was responsible for around 15.2 per cent increase in tourist arrivals during the off season last year. Secretary, Kerala Tourism, V. Venu said that the award and recognition is a testament to Kerala Tourism’s smart marketing strategies. “Kerala not only gained an added season in the travel calendar, but also recorded the biggest growth in domestic tourist arrivals in the last 15 years with the campaign”.

Conceptualised and executed by Stark Communications, the campaign logistics included 133 value-for-money packages by 177 industry partners, a dedicated micro-site, and a toll free infoline. The award ceremony will be held on September 25 at the PATA Travel Mart 2009 in Hangzhou, China. Kerala Tourism has also bagged the CNBC awards for Best Travel Destination and Best State Tourism Board. CGH picked up the Best Holistic Destination Award for its ayurveda resort Kalari Kovilakom.