PATA and Outdoor Lodging Association APOLA Enter Strategic Partnership to Advance Asia Pacific Sustainable Tourism Values

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Asia-Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association (APOLA) have entered into a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Partnership Overview
- MoU Signed: On 22 January 2026 at the Thailand Tourism Forum in Bangkok.
- Signatories:
- Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA
- Willem Niemeijer, Founding Member & Executive Committee Member of APOLA

About APOLA
- A not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the outdoor lodging sector (glamping, tented camps, cabins, yurts, treehouses, nature pods).
- Mission: Sustainable growth, innovation, and excellence in outdoor hospitality across Asia Pacific.
- Growth: Outdoor lodging in the region is expanding at ~11% annually.
- Focus: Establishing standards for sustainability and quality in nature-based tourism.

Areas of Cooperation
- Reciprocal Membership Access: Members of each organisation can benefit from the other’s network.
- Research & Knowledge Exchange: APOLA to provide quarterly insights and travel trends via PATA’s channels.
- Event Collaboration: Joint promotion, speaker participation, and networking opportunities at annual events.
- Sustainability Advocacy: Shared commitment to advancing responsible tourism practices in Asia Pacific.

Leadership Statements
- Noor Ahmad Hamid (PATA CEO):
> “This partnership will strengthen international collaboration and advance responsible, sustainable tourism in the region.”

- Willem Niemeijer (APOLA Founding Member):
> “Demand for nature-first outdoor lodging has surged since the pandemic. Working with PATA highlights the sector’s potential to deliver quality, responsible tourism experiences.”

Strategic Significance
- Tourism Shift: Rising demand for eco-friendly, experiential stays in natural settings.
- Post-COVID Trend: Travelers increasingly seek nature-first escapes (beaches, forests, mountains).
- Regional Impact: Partnership positions Asia Pacific as a global leader in sustainable outdoor hospitality.

👉 This collaboration is a milestone in embedding sustainability and cultural enrichment at the heart of tourism growth in Asia Pacific.