Korea will host the PATA 2026 Summit in two cities—Gyeongju and Pohang—marking the first time in the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) history that its annual summit will be jointly organized across two destinations.
Scheduled for May 11–13, 2026, the event will be co-hosted by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization (GCTO) and supported by the provincial government of Gyeongsangbuk-do in the Republic of Korea (ROK).
A Historic First for PATA and the Region
The announcement was officially made during the closing ceremony of the PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025) in Istanbul, Türkiye. The ceremonial handover signified not only a geographic transition, but also a symbolic one: PAS 2026 will coincide with the association’s 75th anniversary. According to Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA, hosting the summit in both Gyeongju and Pohang reflects “the kind of depth and diversity that today’s travellers increasingly seek.”
The dual-host city format offers attendees a rare opportunity to experience both ancient Korean culture and contemporary coastal innovation. PATA’s decision highlights its focus on uniting tradition with progress, while expanding tourism collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region.
Gyeongsangbuk-do’s Role in Global Tourism
Gyeongsangbuk-do Province is no stranger to global tourism events. Korea has previously hosted the PATA Summit five times—in Seoul (1965, 1979, 1994), Jeju (2004), and Gangneung (2018). Gyeongju and Pohang will now carry that legacy forward, strengthening ties between Korea and PATA’s international member nations.
- Gyeongju: Often called “the museum without walls,” it was once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom and now features UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Bulguksa Temple and the Royal Tombs.
- Pohang: A coastal city known for its blend of industry and art, including the iconic Hands of Harmony sculpture and the sky-high Hwanho Park Space Walk.
According to Kim Namil, President of GCTO, PAS 2026 will serve not just as a tourism event, but “a platform for sustainability, innovation, and human connections.”
Key Highlights and Vision for PAS 2026
PATA’s 75th anniversary summit aims to be more than a gathering of travel professionals. It is positioned as a strategic event that fosters dialogue, creativity, and inclusive tourism development. Lee Dongup, Chairperson of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural & Environmental Committee, emphasized that this will be the most “inclusive and strategic edition yet” of the annual summit.
During the 2025 summit in Istanbul, Jeong Seonghoon, Manager at GCTO, presented the capabilities of the host cities. The bid showcased Gyeongsangbuk-do’s readiness in terms of infrastructure, cultural offerings, and hospitality expertise.
About the Host Cities
| City | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| Gyeongju | UNESCO World Heritage sites, Silla-era architecture, Cheomseongdae observatory |
| Pohang | Hands of Harmony, Space Walk attraction, thriving coastal culture |
Gyeongju offers a deeply immersive historical experience, while Pohang complements it with its coastal charm and public art scene. The combined experience delivers a diverse itinerary that reflects both Korea’s cultural legacy and its modern tourism appeal.
A Carbon-Neutral Summit with Global Vision
In line with its sustainable tourism goals, PATA has committed to making PAS 2026 a carbon-neutral event. Attendees will be encouraged to voluntarily contribute a carbon offset fee of USD 10 as part of the registration process. This aligns with the association’s broader mission to support responsible travel and reduce the environmental impact of large-scale tourism events.
Further details about the event program, speaker lineup, and registration timeline will be announced in the coming months. However, early messaging from PATA and its Korean partners signals an ambitious vision: to create a summit that not only commemorates the association’s founding in 1951 but also sets the tone for its future in sustainable, inclusive tourism.
As the international travel community prepares to gather in Korea once again, the dual-city format promises attendees an unforgettable experience. Whether exploring ancient observatories in Gyeongju or walking among sculptures in Pohang, PAS 2026 invites the world to discover the many layers of Korea’s evolving tourism landscape.
