MICE Bhutan CEO Lizam Dorji Named 2026 PATA Face of the Future

MICE Bhutan CEO Lizam Dorji has been named the Grand Winner of the 2026 PATA Face of the Future Award, recognising her leadership and work in Bhutan’s tourism sector.

Lizam Dorji, CEO of MICE Bhutan, has been named the Grand Winner of the 2026 PATA Face of the Future Award, becoming the first Bhutanese to receive this recognition from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

The award recognises emerging tourism professionals across the Asia Pacific for their leadership, innovation and commitment to sustainable tourism development.

Lizam’s recognition highlights her work in developing Bhutan’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, while connecting business events with cultural preservation, community engagement and environmental responsibility.

Bringing international experience back to Bhutan

Before returning to Bhutan, Lizam spent more than five years working in Thailand with the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall.

Her experience included managing international conferences, United Nations events, corporate meetings and large-scale conventions involving up to 4,000 participants.

She later returned to Bhutan to apply that international experience to the country’s developing MICE sector. Her work focuses on creating professional opportunities for young Bhutanese and positioning Bhutan as a destination where international meetings and events can support meaningful exchange.

Using business events to create wider impact

Lizam’s approach to MICE tourism goes beyond organising conferences and corporate gatherings. Her work seeks to connect business events with Bhutan’s communities, culture and environment.

MICE Bhutan, a subsidiary of Druk Asia, has partnered with Bhutan’s Youth Development Fund on an initiative to plant 2,664 flowering trees with guests across the country over three years.

MICE Bhutan has been privileged to earn the trust of a diverse range of organisations to host and manage events in Bhutan, including engagements for Fortune 500 companies. These experiences reflect the growing interest in Bhutan as a destination for business events and MICE Bhutan’s role in delivering programmes that combine professional event management with meaningful cultural experiences.

These initiatives reflect Lizam’s view that business events can contribute to Bhutan beyond their immediate economic activity.

“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 Lizam.

Lizam Dorji delivering the keynote speech at the PATA Youth Symposium 2026

Recognition from PATA

Established in 2002, the PATA Face of the Future Award recognises young professionals from across the Asia Pacific for their contributions to the travel and tourism industry.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid congratulated Lizam on receiving the 2026 award.

“I sincerely congratulate Ms. Lizam Dorji on being named the 2026 PATA Face of the Future,” he said. “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 moderates regional discussion on cross-border partnerships

On August 18, Lizam also moderated a panel discussion titled “Building Impactful Partnerships Across Borders,” bringing together industry leaders to discuss how tourism boards, airlines, convention bureaux, hospitality groups and travel businesses can work together to open new visitor markets, strengthen regional connectivity and create commercial opportunities.

The panel featured Dmitry Smolnikov, Deputy CEO of the Center for Strategic Research (CSR), Discover Russia; Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin, CEO of AirBorneo; Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior Vice President, Global Alliances & Partnerships and Head of Corporate Affairs at John Keells Holdings PLC; and Lujaina Al Maskari, Head of Conferences Division at the Oman Convention Bureau.

Lizam Dorji moderating a panel discussion titled “Building Impactful Partnerships Across Borders” on the 18th August.

A voice for young tourism professionals

The recognition will also give Lizam an opportunity to contribute directly to PATA’s leadership.

As the 2026 PATA Face of the Future, she will serve on the PATA Board for one year beginning in 2027. She will represent the youth community and bring the perspectives of a younger generation of tourism professionals to the association.

For Bhutan, the appointment also provides an opportunity for the country’s tourism perspectives to be represented within a major regional travel association.

Lizam’s experience is particularly relevant as Bhutan explores opportunities to develop tourism that can generate economic and professional benefits while remaining aligned with the country’s emphasis on cultural and environmental preservation.

Four other emerging tourism professionals recognised

Picture: L/R: Mr. Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed, PATA Face of the Future - Student Excellence; Ms. Alevtina Borodulina, PATA Face of the Future - Leadership; Ms. Lizam Dorji, PATA Face of the Future Grand Winner; Ms. Orawan Dinsor, PATA Face of the Future - Strategic Management

Alongside Lizam as the Grand Winner, PATA recognised four other young tourism professionals in specific categories.

Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed of the Maldives received Special Recognition for Student Excellence. Thailand’s Orawan Dinsor was recognised for Strategic Management, while Alevtina Borodulina received recognition for Leadership. Mongolia’s Uyanga Galbadrakh was recognised for Sustainability Initiatives.

PATA said the 2026 awards attracted a record number of applications.

For Lizam, the award provides a regional platform to continue developing her work in Bhutan’s MICE sector while contributing to wider conversations about the future of tourism in the Asia Pacific.

Her recognition also puts a spotlight on the role Bhutanese tourism professionals can play beyond the country, sharing Bhutan’s experience and perspectives with a wider regional industry.