The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has kicked off a year-long campaign to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding.
The announcement—featuring a short video highlighting PATA’s history and unveiling the anniversary logo and theme—was made on August 26 at the PATA Knowledge Forum 2025, held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, alongside the PATA Travel Mart 2025 (PTM 2025).
In his remarks, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid reflected on the organization’s origins: “74 years ago, our founders came together when the world longed for peace, healing, and hope. Their vision was simple yet powerful: to use travel as a bridge between cultures, a pathway to prosperity, and a passport to peace. That vision continues to guide us today, reminding us that our work is not just about tourism, but about connecting people and creating understanding across borders.”
He continued, “It is in that same spirit—honoring our founders’ vision and embracing our ongoing mission—that I am delighted to officially launch the celebrations for PATA’s 75th Anniversary in 2026.”
Carrying the theme “From Vision to Legacy: PATA at 75,” the milestone underscores the association’s decades-long role in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism development across the Asia-Pacific, while reaffirming its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and adaptability in a fast-changing industry.
To engage its global community, PATA has also launched a dedicated webpage, “Lost in Time, Found by You: Your Memories Complete the Picture.” The page features a digitized collection of archival photographs, many of them still unidentified. Members, partners, and the public are invited to help identify people, places, and moments captured in the images. Visitors can also contribute their own photos, stories, and memories related to PATA.
The 75th anniversary campaign will run throughout the year with special events. The celebrations will culminate with the official launch at the PATA Annual Summit 2026. It is scheduled for May in Gyeongju and Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Republic of Korea.
