The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has named Ms Lizam Dorji, chief executive of MICE Bhutan, the country’s business-events specialist, Grand Winner of its Face of the Future 2026 Award. The recognition arrives in PATA’s 75th anniversary year, lending extra weight to an award that spotlights emerging Asia-Pacific tourism leaders for their future-forward approach to tourism sustainability.
Lizam Dorji said, “Receiving PATA’s ‘Face of the Future’ award is a tribute to everyone supporting our vision because we are not just marketing a destination; we are helping to shape its future. In Bhutan, we are guided by Gross National Happiness a philosophy that reminds us true progress balances economic growth with environmental care, cultural preservation and community well-being. When we look beyond the spreadsheet, success in tourism should look at how well we safeguard our heritage and empower local communities.”
The ‘Face of the Future’ accolade honours Lizam, CEO of MICE Bhutan, for championing regenerative tourism in line with the country’s “High Value, Low Volume” philosophy. While success in the global MICE industry is often measured by delegate numbers, hotel occupancy and economic impact, MICE Bhutan measures success by the positive legacy each event leaves behind. Every conference, incentive trip and corporate gathering is designed to contribute meaningfully to Bhutan’s environment, culture and communities.
Prioritising environmental stewardship and cultural preservation, MICE Bhutan designs tourism experiences that restore natural habitats, protect cultural heritage, and strengthen community well-being —delivering regenerative outcomes for corporate travellers and ESG-conscious organisations.
Rather than treating conferences as conventional indoor meetings, MICE Bhutan creates opportunities for guests to build authentic connections with local communities while driving positive change through economic empowerment.
