PATA Sets Course for 2027 with Sanya, China as Host of Annual Summit
BANGKOK, April 7, 2026 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce that the PATA Annual Summit 2027 will be hosted by the Sanya Tourism Board (STB) in Sanya, China, from May 17–19, 2027.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said, “The Sanya Tourism Board has been an active and valued PATA member, and we have had the privilege of working closely together to successfully deliver a number of regional initiatives. Building on this strong track record, combined with world-class facilities and a diverse destination offering spanning culture, wellness, community-based tourism, and year-round sunshine, Sanya is exceptionally well-positioned to host the PATA Annual Summit. We look forward to collaborating closely with Sanya to bring the 2027 Summit to life.”
"Hosting the PATA Annual Summit 2027 in Sanya is a great honour and a significant opportunity to showcase our city's unique tropical coastal charm to the global travel community," said a spokesperson from the Sanya Tourism Board. "As a premier destination offering pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and world-class facilities, we are committed to promoting sustainable tourism development. We look forward to welcoming delegates from around the world to experience Sanya's warm hospitality and to fostering meaningful collaborations that will drive the future of travel in the Asia Pacific region."
Located in the southern part of China’s Hainan Province, Sanya is a tropical coastal destination covering approximately 1,921 square kilometres and offering diverse attractions. The city is recognised as a major modern tourism destination, known for its tropical climate and luxury resorts with world-class amenities. Sanya’s natural landscapes range from the white-sand beaches of Haitang and Yalong bays to the Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park and the Wuzhizhou Island. Moreover, Sanya boasts a culturally rich and charming urban scene, where visitors can experience its delightful gastronomy and rich cultural heritage.
In recent years, STB has observed growing travel demand from visitors from Central Asia, alongside continued efforts to expand air connectivity and strengthen partnerships. In November 2025 alone, Sanya recorded over 2.24 million overnight domestic and international visitors, underscoring its strong potential to contribute to the sustained growth of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry.
Learn more about Sanya at www.pata.org/welcome-to-sanya.
Brief overview of PAS 2027
The PATA Annual Summit 2027 is structured as a three-day programme, centred around a one-and-a-half-day conference addressing key issues impacting the Asia Pacific travel and tourism ecosystem. The main programme comprises the Association’s Executive Board and Board meetings, a PATA Chapter meeting, a PATA Youth Symposium, and technical tours.
Further details on the PATA Annual Summit 2027—including event theme, session topics, and speakers—will soon be announced.
About the Sanya Tourism Board
The Sanya Tourism Board (STB) is a statutory institution launched by the Sanya Municipal People's Government. Fulfilling the mission entrusted by the state to Hainan FTP to boldly experiment and explore, STB aims to comprehensively enhance the competitiveness and reputation of Sanya as an international tourism destination and become an important platform for efficiently serving the construction of an international center for tourism and consumption in Hainan.
The STB makes tourism promotion plans for Sanya, collaborates with tourism-related enterprises for joint marketing, and carries out such functions as MICE industry development, overseas route development, large-scale activity planning, and business development centered around the six major elements of tourism, such as food, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment, thus ensuring both city brand promotion and the boost of tourism consumption. Visit www.visitsanya.com.
