PATA and GBTA Partner to Strengthen Corporate Business Travel at PATA Travel Mart 2027
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) have signed a strategic partnership to elevate the corporate travel dimension of PATA Travel Mart 2027, which will be held in Macao, China, from September 20–22, 2027.
GBTA as Strategic Corporate Travel Partner:
GBTA will bring its global network of corporate buyers, procurement professionals, and travel managers into PATA’s Asia-Pacific tourism marketplace.
Programme Development:
Joint efforts will enhance the business travel and events components of PTM 2027 through curated content, knowledge exchange, and targeted B2B engagement.
Buyer Mobilisation:
GBTA will encourage qualified corporate buyers to participate, while PATA will facilitate their inclusion under its hosted buyer program.
Joint Marketing:
Both associations will promote the event across their communication channels, expanding reach to international corporate travel decision-makers.
Strategic Importance
- APAC is the fastest-growing region for business travel spending, making this collaboration timely and impactful.
- The partnership aims to connect destinations, suppliers, and corporate buyers, strengthening the role of corporate travel in regional economic growth and connectivity.
Leadership Perspectives
- Noor Ahmad Hamid (PATA CEO): Emphasized the importance of corporate travel in connecting destinations and communities, highlighting the new opportunities this partnership creates.
- Elle Ng-Darmawan (GBTA Senior Director, APAC): Pointed to APAC’s dynamism in global business travel and the need for collaboration to unlock value and ensure industry resilience.
What It Means for 2027
PATA Travel Mart 2027 will be more business-driven, offering corporate buyers greater opportunities to discover Asia-Pacific destinations and products, while suppliers gain direct access to qualified decision-makers from the global corporate travel community.
This partnership essentially positions PTM 2027 as not just a tourism marketplace, but a hybrid platform bridging leisure and corporate travel.
