PATA Celebrates Long-Standing Members While Asia Pacific Prepares for the Future of Sustainable Tourism Growth, Innovation and Regional Hospitality Development

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Gishan Das

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May 27, 2026 12:51 PM

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) paid tribute to the member organisations of PATA for their sustained loyalty to the association at the dinner ceremony hosted by PATA for the PATA Executive Board & Board Member and Awards Presentation on May 11, 2026, during the PATA Annual Summit in Pohang, ROK (Republic of Korea). The occasion honoured member organisations that have been with PATA for over 50, 60, and 70 years and are contributing towards making a difference to the tourism industry in Asia Pacific.

According to the PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid, the 75th anniversary of the association would enable PATA to pay tribute to the loyal and devoted members whose efforts and cooperation will help PATA to play an important role in sustainable and future ready tourism in the region.

Honouring Organisations with 70 Years of Membership: Pillars of Future Sustainable Tourism

Organisations recognised for 70 years of PATA membership include the Guam Visitors Bureau, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd., and the Philippine Department of Tourism. These entities have consistently promoted tourism development that balances economic growth with environmental and cultural sustainability. By leveraging decades of experience, they have become key advocates for future strategies that emphasise eco-conscious travel, responsible hospitality, and regional tourism innovation. Other 70-year members, including Destination NSW, Marianas Visitors Authority, Tahiti Tourisme, and Tourism Fiji, continue to drive sustainable tourism initiatives and cross-border collaborations even if unable to attend the ceremony.

Their contributions underscore the importance of long-term strategic thinking, which will be critical in shaping Asia Pacific’s transition toward high-value, environmentally responsible, and culturally immersive tourism experiences in the coming years.

60-Year Members Paving the Way for Sustainable Hospitality Innovation

A broader cohort of members celebrating 60 years of PATA affiliation includes the Global Tour Ltd., Hong Kong Tourism Board, Japan Association of Travel Agents, Korea Tourism Organization, Macao Government Tourism Office, Nepal Tourism Board, Smith’s Motor Boat Service, Taiwan Tourism Administration, Thai Airways International, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Malaysia, World Express Group, and Yeti Travels Pvt. Ltd.

These organisations have played a pivotal role in promoting eco-friendly tourism policies, digital marketing initiatives, and sustainable hospitality infrastructure. Representatives such as Henry Oh, Yoon-Ho Kim, Kyungsoo Yang, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Rohini Prasad Khanal, and Yi-Chen Huang highlighted the necessity of innovation and collaboration to achieve long-term sustainability goals.

Their collective efforts are laying the groundwork for a future tourism ecosystem where responsible travel, smart hospitality technologies, and environmentally conscious development will drive growth while protecting cultural and natural assets.

50-Year Members Driving the Future of Responsible Tourism

Organisations recognised for 50 years of membership include All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, PACTO DMC INDONESIA, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, and Tourism Solomons. Attending representatives such as Yasuyuki Suzuki, Yeonhee Cho, Raty Ning, Lesley Timothy, and Dagnal Dereveke were celebrated for their decades-long dedication to sustainable tourism planning, hospitality innovation, and regional tourism growth.

Other 50-year members, including ITDC India, Messe Berlin/ITB Berlin, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan, have contributed to future-ready tourism infrastructure, smart destination planning, and eco-conscious hospitality practices. Their leadership demonstrates the sector’s capacity to evolve towards a more resilient, sustainable, and high-value travel economy across Asia Pacific.

Shaping the Future of Sustainable Tourism Growth Across Asia Pacific

Through decades of commitment, PATA’s long-standing members have laid the foundation for the future of sustainable tourism in the region. By focusing on environmentally responsible travel, community-based tourism, wellness experiences, and digital innovation, these organisations are helping shape a more resilient, high-value tourism model.

The association emphasised that public-private partnerships, strategic collaborations, and knowledge sharing will be central to sustaining Asia Pacific’s competitive advantage in global tourism. Members will continue to guide eco-friendly hospitality developments, regional tourism integration, and climate-conscious tourism policies, ensuring that the sector grows responsibly while meeting international standards for sustainability and quality.

PATA’s 75th Anniversary: A Vision for Responsible and Future-Ready Tourism

Not only was the 75th anniversary celebration an acknowledgment of years of hard work, but it also showed that the organization is committed to the future growth of sustainable tourism. Using the organization’s expertise, ingenuity, and global collaboration, the members are aiming at bringing a new era of tourism that is valuable, sustainable, and immersive into the Asia Pacific region.

With increasing global tourists looking for sustainability, wellness, and purpose in their tourism experiences, the countries of Nepal, Thailand, Hawaii, Guam, and others are well equipped to be the pioneers of sustainable tourism in the future.

Image Source: PATA