BANGKOK, 28 April 2026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association will organise its first PATA Youth Symposium of 2026 at Lahan Hotel, Pohang, Korea (ROK), from 0900 to 1200 on 11 May 2026.
The half-day event is supported by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organisation (GCTO), Pohang City, and the PATA Thailand Chapter.
Taking place on the sidelines of the PATA Annual Summit 2026 (PAS 2026), the symposium will align with the Summit theme, Navigating Towards a Resilient Future. Examining how the public and private sectors collaborate in response to rapidly evolving global realities, the event will help equip youths with adaptable skills and knowledge to ease their transition from the educational sphere to the workforce.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid emphasised the goal of the event, stating, “This symposium gives young people a clearer view of where the industry is heading, the skills that are in demand, and insights directly from experts. It aims to help them better understand what to expect, prepare for their future careers, and provide a platform to share their perspectives.”
Gyeongbuk Cultural Tourism Organisation (GCTO), CEO Nam-Il Kim said: “The PATA Youth Symposium is a meaningful platform where young people, who will lead the future of the tourism industry, can share their creative ideas and passion. We hope that participants from diverse cultures and backgrounds will engage with one another and explore the direction of sustainable tourism together. We believe this symposium will serve as an important stepping stone for participants to grow into global tourism leaders, and we will continue to expand an open platform for collaboration with the younger generation.”
The half-day agenda will feature keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, and student-led dialogues. Speakers include Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, CEO, Sarawak Tourism Board; Jules Shin, Area Manager for Korea, Booking.com; Mike Stewart, Regional GM South East Asia, Intrepid Travel; and Ben-Jie Lim, Chief People & Partnership Officer, AirAsia MOVE.
Visit the event page for the latest updates and registration: www.pata.org/pata-youth-symposium-2026-pas.
(Source: PATA)
