Thiruvananthapuram, July 17 (IANS): Kerala Tourism has bagged this year's prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award for its Muziris Heritage Project, an official statement said here on Friday.

The award was won by Kerala Tourism in the 'Heritage & Culture' category, the statement issued by the tourism department said.

"This award is recognition of the Muziris project, aimed at restoring the historical and cultural significance of the ancient town that stretches across North Paravur in Ernakulam to Kodungalloor in Thrissur," said Kerala Tourism Minister A.P. Anilkumar.

"The flagship project of the government of Kerala is one of the biggest heritage conservation projects of modern India," he added.

The award, sponsored by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), was bestowed on the Muziris Heritage Project for its conservational aspect, uniqueness and impact on local community.

There were 269 entries from 83 organisations and individuals worldwide for this year's award, the highest since 2007.

The awards will be presented on September 8 at PATA Travel Mart in Bangalore.

"Being a part of the Spice Route Project, which is supported by UNESCO, the Muziris project already has a key status in the cultural tourism map," said Kerala Tourism secretary G. Kamala Vardhana Rao.

"The list of PATA Gold Awards 2015 winners unveils once again the very best of Pacific-Asia tourism practices," said MGTO director Maria Helen de Senna Fernandes.

In 2014, PATA honoured Kerala Tourism for responsible tourism initiative in Kumarakom and its popular e-newsletter.

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia-Pacific region.