The recently held Pacific Asia Travel Association Annual Summit 2024 in Macau, China, wrapped up successfully with signing of MoUs, conferences and launch of important initiatives to advance responsible tourism with over 450 delegates from across 29 destinations.

About 450 delegates from 200 organisations across 29 destinations gathered for the three-day Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit 2024 (PAS 2024) in China.

In a press statement, PATA says that the event was hosted by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) from May 15-17 with the theme “Reimagining Tourism.”

The PATA organisers say that during the ‘Partnerships for Tomorrow’ session, two Memorandums of Understandings between PATA and the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and between PATA and the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF) were signed to advance responsible tourism. PATA Kind Hearts initiative was launched during the event.

The statement adds that the programme comprised one and half days of PATA internal meetings, a conference spanning across one and half days, the PATA Youth Symposium and a destination experience programme including cultural workshops and destination tours.

“On behalf of PATA, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our host, the Macau Government Tourism Office, our co-host SJM, all our partners and sponsors, and the dedicated delegates who have contributed to making the PATA Annual Summit 2024 a resounding success. Your unwavering support and collaboration have made this event truly meaningful for PATA and the broader travel and tourism community. Thank you for your commitment to advancing our shared goals,” says PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid.

The statement says that the summit commenced on May 15 with the PATA Executive Board and PATA Board Meetings and the PATA Life Members Get-Together, alongside the PATA Power of Networking session and the inaugural Education Roundtable session.

It adds that on the following days, it went on to host PATA Youth Symposium 2024 along with Government and Industry Roundtables, as well as the PATA Chapter Congress.

“The PATA Annual Summit was a great success, gathering delegates from across the Asia Pacific and beyond to Reimagining Tourism and continue to work together to build a vibrant yet responsible development of the tourism industry in the region,” says Macau Government Tourism Office Director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes.

The PATA-WTCF China Dialogue with World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and Dragon Trail International, was also held on the morning of the second day which dissected China’s inbound tourism. The main conference on May 16 and 17 featured the official opening ceremony followed by sessions covering various topics under the theme ‘Reimagining Tourism,’ the organisers say.

“Macao was very pleased to welcome another PATA flagship event after several years, and to have the opportunity to showcase participants an update and firsthand experience on how we are reimagining tourism in our city, towards more diversification, as we develop into a world centre of tourism and leisure,” adds Fernandes.

“PATA is an old friend of Macau, and bringing this Summit back is like bringing family home. She remarked, “Reflecting on the past few years, from the bustling travel peaks of 2019 to the devastating lows of the pandemic – the one key takeaway is the interconnectedness of our world,” says Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM Resorts, a co-host for the event.

“We have seen firsthand that we are not just one industry; we are one global community, sharing one planet. We often speak of the 3Ps: People, Planet, and Prosperity, as fundamental pillars of sustainability. However, here in Macau, we are guided by 3 additional Ps that are just as vital: Public-Private-Partnership. These have remained at the forefront of SJM’s agenda from the outset, and hosting this PATA Summit is one fine example of this joint effort,” Ho says.

“Today’s theme, Reimagining Tourism, involves a fundamental shift in how we conceive, plan, and engage in tourism activities. It goes beyond simply improving existing models and instead seeks to transform the entire tourism industry to make it more sustainable, responsible, and inclusive,” says PATA Chair Peter Semone.

This could include incorporating principles of ecotourism and sustainable development, promoting cultural exchange and understanding, leveraging technology for more immersive and accessible experiences, and prioritising the well-being of local communities and environments over sheer economic gains,” adds Semone.