Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced that PATA Annual Summit 2024 has been awarded to the Macao Government Tourism Office and will be held from May 15-17.

PATA Annual Summit 2024 will be held in collaboration with the Macao Government Tourism Office bringing together international thought leaders and senior decision-makers who are professionally engaged in driving tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

According to a press statement by PATA, this annual event will be supported by SJM Resorts and held from May 15–17, 2024 at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. It says that the extensive programme, comprising plenary sessions, breakout sessions, the PATA Executive Board and Board meetings and Annual General Meeting, will provide a platform for PATA’s public and private sector members and partners. 

The statement adds that the event will focus on PATA Chapters and PATA Youth from around the world to discuss the challenges, issues and opportunities facing the industry to look towards responsible and sustainable growth, value and quality of tourism in the region.

“All of us at PATA are excited to be returning to Macao for the PATA Annual Summit 2024 and receive first-hand updates about the significant developments in the destination since having previously organising successful PATA Travel Marts in 2010 and 2017, as well as the PATA Annual Conference in 2005. The Macao Government Tourism Office has been a strong partner of PATA since 1958 and they are our major sponsor for the PATA Gold Awards for the past 28 consecutive years. Next year’s event provides Macao with the perfect opportunity to showcase their destination and the Greater Bay Area to all delegates,” says Peter Semone, Chairman of the executive board of the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

“It is an honour for Macao to host the PATA Annual Summit 2024. PATA holds a special place in the heart of our tourism industry, and we are happy to once again be granted the opportunity to welcome delegates from near and far to meet in our city. Especially as this will be the first PATA event we host after the pandemic, allowing us to showcase to participants the current dynamic change in our destination towards more diversification for a memorable meeting in Macao,” says Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes.

The statement adds that Macao, a special administrative region of China, blends cosmopolitan style with a rich cultural heritage. Its historic district, known as ‘The Historic Centre of Macao,’ is home to over 20 monuments and urban squares, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. This district is a testament to the unique integration of Eastern and Western cultures over centuries, offering visitors the chance to explore magnificent heritages and their fascinating stories. 

The statement adds that Macao’s cultural tapestry is a result of over four centuries of coexistence and interaction between Chinese and Western influences, culminating in a distinctive cultural landscape and a wealth of intangible cultural heritage.

The statement adds that Macao’s intangible cultural heritage encompasses a diverse range of practices, expressions, knowledge and skills passed down through generations. This includes oral traditions, performing arts, social customs, rituals, and the know-how behind traditional crafts, showcasing the rich tapestry of traditions that make Macao a cultural crossroads.