İstanbul, Türkiye to Hold PATA Annual Summit 2025, Hosted by Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce that PATA Annual Summit 2025, hosted by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), will take place in İstanbul, Türkiye, in March 2025.

This announcement was initially made at the recent PATA board meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, August 30, 2024.

Perched on the Bosphorus Strait, İstanbul is a city renowned for its historical sites with incredible architectural design, including the Hagia Sophia, the Dolmabahçe Palace, and the Grand Bazaar—one of the world’s most iconic markets. As a key location within Türkiye, which welcomed 56.7 million international visitors in 2023 [TGA, 2024], İstanbul plays a vital role in one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations globally.

Türkiye is also deeply committed to promoting safe and sustainable tourism, with initiatives that provide certification for accommodation facilities to ensure continuous improvement and adherence to high standards. This dedication, combined with İstanbul’s unique cultural scene and rapidly growing economy, makes the city an ideal destination for pioneering discussions on the future of the tourism industry.

PATA CEO expressed his confidence in the annual gathering by stating, “I am humbled to take the PATA Annual Summit 2025 to a city that stands on two continents – Asia and Europe, as PATA strives to grow within the Asia Pacific region and globally. This Summit is important for the travel & tourism fraternity to shape a resilient, responsible, and reimagined future in a sustainable manner. My utmost appreciation to the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency for hosting this event with support from Turkish Airlines. I look forward to seeing all members and industry stakeholders in İstanbul next year.”

Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency General Manager, İsmail Bütün, said, “As the Turkish Tourism Board, we are excited to be hosting PATA’s 2025 Annual Summit in İstanbul. The Asia-Pacific region is amongst our key growth markets and the Pacific Asia Travel Association embodies a great membership base of hospitality, aviation, and travel industry partners in this territory. We can’t wait to host the esteemed members of PATA in İstanbul soon and show them the best of Turkish hospitality.”

Additionally, Turkish Airlines has been confirmed as the Official Airline Partner, lending their support to the event.

Turkish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, Ahmet Olmuştur stated “As Türkiye’s flag-carrier, we deem it our mission to support initiatives that promote our country’s countless tourist attractions and vast potential. PATA Annual Summit 2025 to be hosted by TGA will gather tourism and travel professionals from the Asia-Pacific region in Istanbul and will undoubtedly create a great atmosphere of networking and collaboration as well as a platform for exchanging ideas in order to address the opportunities and challenges ahead. With our award-winning flight experience and trademark hospitality, Turkish Airlines is ready to accompany the valued members of PATA for an unforgettable trip to our crown jewel, Istanbul”

The summit will feature plenary and breakout sessions, along with the PATA Executive Board and Board meetings, as well as roundtable discussions. It will serve as a platform for PATA’s public and private sector members, global partners, and PATA Chapters and Youth from around the world to address the challenges, issues, and opportunities facing the industry as it strives for responsible and sustainable growth, enhanced value, and quality tourism in the region.

Further details on PATA Annual Summit 2025 will be announced in due course.