PATA Youth Symposium and Education in Hospitality and Tourism Forum 2026 in Sarawak, Malaysia

The PATA Youth Symposium & Education in Hospitality and Tourism Forum 2026 in Kuching, Sarawak is being positioned as a landmark event for the next generation of tourism leaders.

Event Overview
- Dates: August 17–18, 2026
- Venue: UCSI Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
- Theme: “Empowering Youth for a Creative, Sustainable, and Inclusive Tourism & Hospitality Future”
- Partners: PATA with UCSI University Sarawak Campus, supported by Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Sarawak Tourism Board, FELCRA Berhad, Malaysia Airlines, and Business Events Sarawak.
- Held alongside PATA Travel Mart 2026 (Aug 18–20) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, connecting youth with the wider Asia Pacific tourism industry.

Programme Highlights
- Keynotes & Panels:
- Redefining Success in Tourism – Lizam Dorji, CEO MICE Bhutan.
- The Power of Resilience – Loh Wei Siong, Partner, Reddi & Co.
- Travel That Gives Back – Panel with Mandy Chen (Landik Co.), Taichiro Ishida (SURUGA Marketing & Tourism Bureau), Vera Chin (Bee Gastronomy).
- Youth-Led Sessions:
- Powered by PATA: Youth Creating Tourism Impact – featuring Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed, Chair of PATA Malaysia Taylor’s Student Chapter.
- International Youth Business Events Pitching Competition.
- Experiential Workshops: Cooking, beverages, handicrafts.
- Awards: Culinaire Challenge Global Youth Championship 2026.

Community Engagement
- Day 2: Experiential learning at Kampung Darul Islam Belimbing, Padawan.
- Activities: Keringkam weaving, traditional kuih making, Bidayuh dance/music, ethnic wear, and Sukan Rakyat (community sports).
- Focus: Connecting tourism education with cultural heritage and community perspectives.

Leadership Voices
- Datuk Snowdan Lawan (Deputy Minister, Sarawak): Emphasized youth’s role in shaping Sarawak’s tourism and creative economy.
- Noor Ahmad Hamid (PATA CEO): Highlighted youth as “not simply the future of our industry; they are already helping to shape it today.”

Takeaway
This symposium is more than a student forum—it’s a bridge between academia, industry, and communities, giving young professionals direct exposure to global tourism leaders, cultural heritage, and practical skills. It reflects PATA’s 75-year legacy while ensuring youth are central to building a creative, sustainable, and inclusive tourism future.