Gyeongju and Pohang to Make History as First Dual-City Hosts for PATA Annual Summit 2026
Photo: L/R and Front/Back: Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; Seha Şenol, Corporate & Cultural Events Manager, TGA; Mehmethan Kelkit, Corporate & Cultural Events Director, TGA; Luzi Matzig, Executive Board member, PATA; Jae Pil Sho, Editor & Publisher, TRAVEL PRESS-Korea; Peter Semone, Chair, PATA; Chaewan Im, Director, Gyeongsangbuk-do Tourism Policy Division; Ozan Ortaç, Corporate Communications Director, International Markets, TGA; Lee Dongup, Chairperson, Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural & Environmental Committee; Suman Pandey, Vice-Chair, PATA; Kim Namil, President, Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture & Tourism Organization; Henry Oh, Board member, PATA; and the Korean Delegation at the official handover ceremony during PATA Annual Summit 2025.
BANGKOK, May 13, 2025 – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce that the PATA Annual Summit 2026 (PAS 2026) will be co-hosted in the cities of Gyeongju and Pohang, located in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Korea (ROK), in coordination with the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization (GCTO) and scheduled to be held from May 11-13. The official handover was made on April 23 during the closing ceremony of the PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025) in İstanbul, Türkiye, symbolising the continued momentum and legacy of the Association’s flagship event.
Following the announcement, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid stated, “Gyeongju and Pohang each hold unique significance within the Republic of Korea’s tourism industry—Gyeongju as a cradle of ancient Korean civilisation, rich in cultural treasures, and Pohang as a vibrant coastal city where natural beauty co-exist seamlessly with contemporary landmarks. They are the meeting point of tradition and modernity, and reflect the kind of depth and diversity that today’s travellers increasingly seek.”
He added, “We are especially proud that, for the first time in PATA’s history, two cities will co-host the Summit—making PAS 2026 a truly historic and symbolic celebration of our 75th anniversary as an Association that unites different tourism sectors and global tourism leaders worldwide. I extend my appreciation to our partners in Gyeongsangbuk-do and across the Republic of Korea for their hospitality and support, and look forward to working together to create an impactful and inspiring Summit experience.”
Korea (ROK) has previously hosted the PATA Annual Summit five times. The first three were held in Seoul in 1965, 1979 and 1994, then Jeju in 2004, and Gangneung in 2018. In 2026, the two cities of Gyeongsangbuk-do will take the torch as the hosts of the upcoming PATA Annual Summit, continuing a legacy of tourism collaboration between the Association and Korea (ROK).
“It is a great honour for me to stand before you today and officially announce Gyeongju and Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea as the host destinations for the PATA Annual Summit 2026,” stated Kim Namil, President of GCTO and the head of the Gyeongsangbuk-do delegation of 13 individuals who attended PAS 2025. “Our goal is to make PAS 2026 more than just a tourism event — it will be a platform for sustainability, innovation, and human connections. With the support and expertise of PATA, we believe this vision can become a powerful reality. We look forward to welcoming you all to Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, in 2026.”
Lee Dongup, Chairperson of Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural & Environmental Committee said, “Through close cooperation with PATA, we hope to make the 2026 Gyeongju-Pohang Summit the most inclusive and strategic edition yet. Let this occasion mark the beginning of deeper ties with all PATA member nations gathered here.”
Additionally, during PAS 2025, Jeong Seonghoon, Manager at the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture & Tourism Organization, delivered a presentation on the destinations, highlighting the readiness and capabilities of the two cities as upcoming hosts of the Summit.
About Pohang and Gyeongju
Located in southeastern Korea (ROK), Gyeongsangbuk-do, or North Gyeongsang Province, has a diverse landscape that ranges from forested highlands to coastal areas, as well as history and cultural heritage that dates back centuries. The region presents ample opportunities for visitors to explore traditional Korean heritage, including preserved temples, historic villages, and local craftsmanship that reflect centuries-old customs.
The province’s largest city, Pohang, is a charming coastal destination known for distinctive landmarks such as the Hands of Harmony sculpture and the Hwanho Park Space Walk, a curving walkway which provides panoramic views of the city, coastline, and surrounding nature. To the south, Gyeongju is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is often referred to as "the museum without walls" due to its wealth of historical sites. Once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju is now home to key landmarks such as the Royal Tombs, Cheomseongdae—the world’s oldest surviving astronomical observatory—and Gyeongju Tower.
Registration Details and Carbon Offset Fee
Reflecting PATA’s commitment to sustainable tourism, PAS 2026 aims to be a carbon neutral event. Therefore, participants are encouraged to contribute by paying the optional carbon neutral fee of USD 10.
Further details about the PATA Annual Summit 2026 and registration will be shared in due course.
About GCTO
The Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization (GCTO) is a provincial public enterprise leading tourism development in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea (ROK). It manages major tourist complexes like Bomun, Gampo, and Andong Cultural Tourism Complex, each offering a mix of leisure, cultural, and marine experiences. GCTO aims to attract 3 million foreign tourists and work with all 23 local governments in the province. Future goals include integrating cultural tourism development across Silla, Gaya, and Confucian regions, enhancing MICE capabilities to become a top-five convention hub in Korea, and creating unique, high-quality tourism products. GCTO is committed to advancing Korean tourism and seeks continued support.
