PATA Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Record-Breaking Summit in South Korea
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) commemorated its 75th anniversary with a grand celebration at the PATA Annual Summit 2026. This monumental event took place from May 11-13, spanning the South Korean cities of Gyeongju and Pohang. It successfully brought together over 550 delegates from more than 35 destinations to discuss the future of Asia-Pacific tourism.
The summit, themed “Navigating Towards a Resilient Future,” marked a historic milestone as the first PATA Annual Summit to be jointly hosted by two cities. Gyeongju, known for its rich historical legacy, showcased South Korea’s ancient Silla Kingdom heritage and UNESCO-recognized attractions. On the other hand, Pohang displayed modern tourism development through its coastal attractions, urban spaces, and innovation-driven projects.
The summit’s focus was on key regional tourism priorities, which included:
- AI-driven tourism innovation
- Sustainable post-APEC tourism development rooted in ESG principles
- Advancement of global heritage tourism
During a special awards presentation dinner on May 11, PATA honored long-standing member organizations celebrating over 50, 60, and 70 years of membership. Notably, organizations like the Guam Visitors Bureau and Hawaii Tourism Authority were recognized for their 70+ years of partnership since 1951.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid expressed his gratitude towards the members, stating, “As the association celebrates its 75th anniversary, we honor members whose continued support, trust, and collective voice have been instrumental in the growth, strength, and relevance of the association.” The summit featured more than 60 confirmed speakers from public and private sectors and included destination experiences, cultural programming, traditional craft workshops, and technical tours to key attractions in both cities.