The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sanya Tourism Board, the tourism promotion organisation of Sanya, a resort island in China, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership focused on the sustainable growth of tourism in Sanya and tropical islands across the Asia Pacific region.

According to a press statement by PATA, this agreement outlines that both parties will work together to strengthen cooperation in culture and tourism and conduct in-depth tourism research.

Both parties will work together to strengthen cooperation in culture and tourism and conduct in-depth tourism research

This will include the development of tropical coastal tourism, international tourism marketing, and sustainable development, increase the attractiveness of tourism agencies and continuously enhance the international tourism destination influence of Sanya and the broader Hainan region.

PATA says that the MOU was ratified by Albert Yip, Director General, Sanya Tourism Board and Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA during the 2024 Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event Media Briefing, held in conjunction with PATA Travel Mart 2024.  

Noor Ahmad Hamid

“On behalf of the association, I am pleased to solidify our collaboration with Sanya. By joining forces, we can work together to elevate tropical islands and coastal destinations as premier travel hubs. PATA is dedicated to helping these destinations around the world uncover their unique strengths and create more meaningful travel experiences that attract international visitors while preserving their rich cultural heritage and protecting their extraordinary natural resources,” says PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid.

“Sanya as the most representative tropical coastal city in China, has rich tourism resources and unique geographical advantages, is one of the PATA’s important cooperative partner for future development,” he adds.

As part of the MOU, both parties have committed to jointly organising the Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event in Sanya for three consecutive years from 2024 to 2026, with the aim of expanding Sanya’s influence within the global island tourism industry.

Albert YIP, Director General of the Sanya Tourism Board

Albert YIP, Director General of the Sanya Tourism Board, says that Sanya will deepen its cooperation with the PATA and embark on a new chapter of three-year in-depth collaboration. 

The statement adds that Sanya intends to establish a platform where tropical coastal cities worldwide can exchange experiences, foster interconnectivity, and collaboratively promote the revitalisation and prosperity of the tropical coastal city tourism industry by announcing the initiative to establish the Tropical Coastal City Tourism Alliance and regularly organising the Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event. 

Meanwhile, Sanya will continue to strengthen its international marketing and promotion efforts, striving to tell the captivating story of Sanya to the global tourists, the statement adds.

The 2024 Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event, will take place at the China Hyatt Regency Sanya Tianli Bay in Sanya, Hainan, China from September 4-5. 

PATA says that under the theme The Next Wave: Shaping the Future of Tourism Marketing in Tropical Coastal Cities, the event will delve into key topics such as innovative international tourism marketing strategies, supporting local communities, and paving the way for sustainable development in tropical coastal cities. 

The statement adds that this event aims to provide a platform for tropical coastal city mayor and tourism professionals to share best practices while further establishing Sanya as a key inbound international tourism destination in China. This event marks a significant milestone in fostering closer cooperation and joint development among tropical coastal cities.