The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) officially opened its flagship business-to-business travel trade event, the PATA Travel Mart 2025 (PTM 2025), in Bangkok on August 27.
The event brought together more than 1,000 delegates from over 50 destinations, including 400 exhibitors from 225 organisations and 225 buyers from 218 organisations, with a significant proportion attending for the first time.
The three-day gathering, which runs through August 29, aims to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and new business partnerships across the Asia Pacific and global travel sectors. PATA leaders described the mart as a platform to shape the future of tourism in the region and to address industry challenges through cooperation.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to PATA Travel Mart 2025 here in the vibrant city of Bangkok, Thailand. This week, we come together to connect, collaborate, and collectively shape the future of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region,” stated PATA Chair Peter Semone, during the mart’s official opening ceremony.
“Yesterday, over 1,000 delegates began arriving from across the globe, reflecting the scale and collaborative spirit of this event. It is a testament to the continued relevance of PATA Travel Mart, bringing together stakeholders from across the Asia Pacific and beyond to exchange knowledge, build networks, and grow our industry.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and partners for their continued support of PATA Travel Mart. Your contributions are vital to the success of this event and to the development of tourism in the Asia Pacific region.”
Highlights at the PATA Travel Mart 2025
Youth & Future Talent
In the lead-up to the Mart, the PATA Youth Symposium 2025 was organised at Srinakharinwirot University on Monday, August 25, featuring interactive and inspiring sessions designed to assist young professionals in becoming “career-ready.”
Hosted by the International College for Sustainability Studies, Srinakharinwirot University and in collaboration with Bangkok University International, the Symposium was attended by over a 100 students and industry professionals.
Thought Leadership, Innovation & Special Announcement
On August 26, the Mart commenced with the PATA Knowledge Forum 2025. Under the theme “Designing Meaningful Tourism for a Changing World,” the one-day forum convened experts across sectors to share their insights on critical topics, including global brand identity creation, the power of technology and artificial intelligence in influencing the traveller journey, and the necessary integration of inclusive values into tourism.
During the Knowledge Forum, PATA soft-launched the Association’s 75th Anniversary celebration, set to be officially launched in 2026. The milestone is a reflection on PATA’s legacy of championing collaborations across sectors and regions, while looking ahead to the future of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific and beyond.
Cultural Exchange & Hospitality
In the evening of August 26, the Welcome Reception was hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Delegates were treated to a culinary journey with signature dishes from all four regions of Thailand, accompanied by special musical performances.
The official Opening Ceremony on August 27 was officiated by Xiaolong Yang, Counsellor (Cultural Affairs), Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand; Khanittha Phanworawat, Deputy Director of the Americas, the Middle East and Africa Region, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT); Supawan Teerarat, President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB); Siripakorn Chaewsamoot, Director-General, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA); Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO); Sharzede Salleh Askor, CEO, STB; Peter Semone, Chair, PATA; and Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA.
The ceremony featured a dance performance by Banbenjanat Thaidance, a local Thai Dancing Art school, choreographed to the reimagined version of the song ‘Peoples of the Pacific’. The song was specially commissioned by Herz Asia in 1981 for the PATA Annual Conference in Los Angeles and the rights were later donated to the Association. Once the ceremony concluded, the group was led by Semone and Hamid on a VIP tour throughout the Mart.
Celebrating Asia Pacific Travel and Tourism Excellence
The PATA Gold Awards 2025 Gala Dinner, sponsored by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), was held on August 27 to recognise outstanding contributions to responsible and innovative tourism development across the Asia Pacific region.
Other Happenings
Throughout August 27 and 28, business and open hall sessions provided extensive opportunities for networking and collaboration between buyers and sellers. On the morning of the final day, the event also welcomed Trade Visitors from various sectors.
“The success of PATA Travel Mart lies in its ability to bring people together in an environment where quality connections matter more than quantity,” added Hamid. “This event is about building trust, exploring new ideas, and shaping tourism that is inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready.”
As part of the closing announcements, Sharzede Datu Haji Askor, CEO of the Sarawak Tourism Board, invited participants to attend the next edition of the mart in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, scheduled for August 18-20, 2026. The upcoming event will continue the association’s tradition of rotating host destinations across the Asia Pacific to showcase different markets and opportunities.
With its mix of trade meetings, knowledge forums, youth engagement, and cultural programming, PTM 2025 reinforced PATA’s role in advancing tourism development in the region. As the association approaches its 75th anniversary, the event underlined both its legacy and its focus on the future of global and regional tourism.
