PATA Youth Symposium to Be Hosted in Pohang, One of Republic of Korea’s Industrial Heartlands

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will be organising its first PATA Youth Symposium of 2026 at Lahan Hotel, Pohang, Korea (ROK), on May 11, 2026, from 9 AM–12 PM. The event is supported by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization (GCTO), Pohang City, and the PATA Thailand Chapter.

Taking place in conjunction with the PATA Annual Summit 2026 (PAS 2026), the Symposium will be aligned with the Summit theme, Navigating Towards a Resilient Future. It is set to examine how the public and private sectors are collaborating in response to rapidly evolving global realities. This is to ensure that the youths are equipped with adaptable skills and knowledge that ease their transition from the educational sphere to the workforce, given the current volatility in the travel and tourism sector.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid emphasised the goal of the event, stating, “This symposium is designed to give 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.”

He added, “It is a pleasure to collaborate with GCTO, Pohang City, and the PATA Thailand Chapter in bringing this initiative to life. Their support is instrumental in creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of tourism professionals.”

Nam-Il Kim, CEO, Gyeongbuk Cultural Tourism Organization (GCTO), 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.”

Pohang City Acting Deputy Mayor, Sang-gil Jang, said, “Pohang is honoured to host the PATA Youth Symposium as part of the PATA Annual Summit 2026. As a dynamic coastal city known for its spirit of innovation and resilience, we are excited to welcome bright young minds from around the world to come together, exchange ideas, and shape the future of tourism. We believe that fostering dialogue and collaboration among youth is essential, and we are proud to provide a platform where the next generation of leaders can connect, learn, and be inspired.”

PATA Thailand Chapter Chairperson, Ben Montgomery, said, “At the PATA Thailand Chapter, we have been proud to consistently support PATA Youth by providing them with opportunities to gain first-hand exposure to international events such as the PATA Annual Summit. We strongly believe that empowering young people is essential, as they represent the future of our industry. Through this continued sponsorship, we hope to play a meaningful role in shaping a brighter and more sustainable future for tourism.” 

The half-day symposium will feature keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, and student-led dialogues. Overall, the conference sessions are set to cover a range of timely topics, including best practices for sustainability initiatives, the advancement of heritage tourism through effective stewardship of cultural assets, the evolving usage of artificial intelligence in travel and tourism, and how young tourism professionals can prepare for and shape their future career pathways.

Some of the 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. More speakers will be confirmed in due course.

In addition, GCTO will host a networking lunch, providing an opportunity for youth participants and industry professionals to connect and exchange ideas.

Visit the event page for the latest updates and registration: www.pata.org/pata-youth-symposium-2026-pas.