Trivandrum, Kerala -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/29/2009 -- Kerala Tourism was awarded a PATA Gold at the PATA Travel Mart 2009 which concluded yesterday in Hangzhou, China (PRC).

The Gold Award for Marketing - Secondary Government Destination category, was for Kerala’s entry ‘Dream Season in God’s Own Country,’ which was judged ‘best in class’ from amongst 236 entries worldwide.

Conceptualised and executed by Stark Communications, The Dream Season campaign objective was to convert the traditional off season in Kerala into a season of opportunity for domestic travelers. It positioned the State as an affordable and inviting destination, making God's Own Country an all-season's destination.

At the Awards ceremony which took place in Hangzhou yesterday afternoon, the judges commented that it was “Not easy to find a solution to counter seasonality. The concept of a dream season is brilliant. The dream season campaign is terrific”.

The judging panel further commented “Kerala Within Your Reach key message carried through the campaign appearing in print, TV, radio, internet and roadshows in major cities and the very good marketing partnerships and collaboration, made the access issue very appealing”.

Director of Kerala Tourism, Mr M Sivasankar received the PATA Gold award on behalf of the State.

Also in Hangzhou for the TraveL Mart were representatives from CGH Earth, Travancore Heritage, Thomas Holidays and Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort, who are part of the Kerala Tourism pavilion. PATA Travel Mart is Asia Pacific's most important and influential travel and tourism industry networking and contracting event. More than 1,000 delegates and media attended this year's PATA Travel Mart (including 591 Sellers from 38 destinations and 305 Buyers from 51 source markets) which closed yesterday evening.