Korea’s (ROK) Gyeongju and Pohang Welcome over 550 delegates at the PATA Annual Summit 2026

The PATA Annual Summit 2026 (PAS 2026), organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), convened over 550 delegates from over 35 destinations—China, India, Maldives, Hong Kong SAR, and UAE—at Lahan Hotel, Pohang, and HICO, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

Scale & Participation
- Delegates: Over 550 participants from 35+ destinations including China, India, Maldives, Hong Kong SAR, and UAE
- Venues: Lahan Hotel (Pohang) & HICO (Gyeongju)
- Theme: “Navigating Towards a Resilient Future”

Leadership & Vision
- Noor Ahmad Hamid (PATA CEO): Emphasized delivering value through knowledge-sharing, actionable insights, and empowering future talent
- Celebrated PATA’s 75th Anniversary, highlighting its legacy since 1951

Programme Highlights
- Conference Topics:
- Sustainable Tourism Governance in a Post-APEC Landscape
- Digital Tourism at a Crossroads
- Navigating Economic Uncertainty
- Destination Marketing Trends
- Strategic Opportunities in a Changing World
- Sessions: Youth Symposium, Industry & Education Roundtables, Policy Forum, AGM, breakout salons, and immersive destination experiences

Special Events
- PATA Small Garden unveiling (May 12): Monument at Bomun Tourist Complex Watermill Garden
- Gala Dinner (May 12): Expo Grand Park, featuring K-Culture experiences and fashion show
- Attended by senior officials from MCST, KTO, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Gyeongju, and Pohang
- Micro-Credentials Launch (May 13): New learning pathways in digital transformation, sustainability, and emerging technologies

Partnerships & Sponsors
- Co-hosts: Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Gyeongsangbuk-do Province; Gyeongju & Pohang cities; Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization
- Supporting partners: Korean Air, MMGY Global, Booking.com, HotelPlanner, Cvent, TCEB, BBC Studios, and others

This summit not only marked a milestone 75th anniversary for PATA but also positioned Korea as a hub for forward-looking tourism dialogue, blending sustainability, digital innovation, and cultural celebration.