Themed “Empowering Youth for a Creative, Sustainable, and Inclusive Tourism & Hospitality Future“, PATA Youth Symposium (PYS) X 4th Education in Hospitality and Tourism Forum (EHTF) 2026 will serve as a strategic youth-driven platform to bridge academia, industry, and community through dialogues, co-creation and experiential learning.
The event will integrate academic discourse and youth engagement through:
Keynotes & Panel Dialogues with industry mentors
Youth Business Events Pitching Competition
Experiential learning through Hands-on Workshops on Culinary & Handicrafts
Industry-Youth Networking Sessions
Showcase of youth talents in Cooking Competition
PYS x EHTF 2026 is co-organised by PATA and the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management of UCSI University Sarawak Campus to support the youths in anchoring their roles as active contributors and co-creators of meaningful tourism experiences aligned with Sarawak’s creative economy and sustainable development vision.
Programme
0830-1110
PATA Youth Symposium
1110-1230
Youth Business Events Pitching Competition
1400-1630
Experiential Workshops
Monday, Aug 17
0900-1600
Sarawak International Culinaire Challenge Global Youth Championship 2026
by Kuching Chef Association & FHTM UCSI
1630-1700
Business Pitching & Cooking Competition Awards Presentation
0800-1700
Community Engagement Activity
Tuesday, Aug 18
0800-1700
Student Mobility Immersion
Wednesday, Aug 19
International Youth Business Events Pitching Competition 2026
The Pitching Competition invites participating youths to present innovative and industry-relevant ideas for the Business Events sector, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and professional communication skills. Through the competition, participants will gain practical experience in developing, preparing, and pitching competitive business proposals. Guideline
For inquiries, contact Asst. Prof. Dr. Ida anak Ingko: idaai@ucsiuniversity.edu.my.
Sarawak International Culinaire Challenge (SICC) Global Youth Championship 2026
In collaboration with the Kuching Chefs Association, this competition provides a global platform for young culinary enthusiasts to showcase their creativity, technical expertise, and passion for the culinary arts.
Whether you are an emerging chef, hospitality student, or culinary professional, this is your opportunity to compete, learn, network, and shine on the international stage.
Registration closes by July 31, more details here.
For inquiries, contact Ms. Nur Shaheera Fasha: NurShaheeraFasha@ucsiuniversity.edu.my.
Experiential Workshop
There are three workshops ofchoice:
Cooking Workshop: Guided by culinary students, participants will learn about the ingredients, preparation steps, and cooking techniques used to make a local dish.
Mocktail Workshop: Participants will learn how to make a fun and refreshing mocktail, from mixing simple ingredients, creating attractive drink presentations, to adding creative garnishes.
Handicraft workshop: Led by Landik Co., participants will discover the beauty of local handicrafts in this interactive workshop through making a selected craft item while learning about the materials, techniques, and cultural value behind it.
Community Engagement Activity
Venue: Kampung Belimbing, Padawan -a unique community that showcases Sarawak’s Bidayuh cultural heritage, rural lifestyle and agro-tourism potential.
Morning to afternoon concurrent activities:
Keringkam weaving (a traditional, hand-embroidered headscarf or veil uniquely associated with the Malay community in Sarawak)
Production of local products
Learn basic Bidayuh traditional dance and music
Showcase of Bidayuh ethnic wear
Community mini games
Student Mobility Immersion
With a tour to the Sarawak Cultural Village and around the Kuching city, students will get a chance to experience Sarawakian cultures, local wisdom, and new perspectives through academic, cultural, and social activities. Details
Registration
Registration is open and complimentary for all.
Registration is on a first come first served basis due to limited capacity. E-certificate will be provided to all participants.
If you are a professor looking for group registration, please email us at YTP@PATA.org to inquire about slot availability.
The registration only includes access to the PATA Youth Symposium 2026. To attend the PATA Travel Mart 2026, please visit the event page here.
About Sarawak
A kaleidoscope of culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals: is the best description for Sarawak.
Sarawak, endowed with some of the oldest rainforests on Earth, is a magical land with adventures waiting to happen – in the towering mountains and cool highlands, in the jagged limestone formations and mysterious cave systems, and in the winding rivers and quiet beaches. With 34 ethnic tribes' own unique cultures, festivals are hosted throughout the year to celebrate the eclectic blend of modern and traditional culture, food, music, and religious practices that can be found nowhere else.
In Sarawak, there is always ‘More to Discover’.
PATA Youth Symposium 2026 is proudly
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