Gyeongju and Pohang make history as first dual-city hosts for PATA Annual Summit 2026 | News
Photo: left/right and front/back: Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; Seha Şenol, Corporate and Cultural Events Manager, TGA; Mehmethan Kelkit, director of corporate and cultural events, TGA; Luzi Matzig, Member of the Board of Directors, PATA; Jae Pil Sho, editor and publisher, TRAVEL PRESS Korea; Peter Semone, Chairman, PATA; Chaewan Im, director of Gyeongsangbuk-do Tourism Policy Department; Ozan Ortaç, Director of Corporate Communications, International Markets, TGA; Lee Dongup, chairman of Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural and Environmental Commission; Suman Pandey, Vice Chairman, PATA; Kim Namil, chairman of Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization; Henry Oh, Board Member, PATA; and the Korean delegation during the official handover ceremony during the PATA Annual Summit 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 Pohanglocated in Gyeongsangbuk-do ProvinceKorea (ROK), in coordination with the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization (GCTO) and will take place from May 11 to 13. The official transfer took place on April 23 during the closing ceremony of the PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025) in Istanbul, Türkiye, symbolizing the continued momentum and legacy of the association’s flagship event.
After the announcement has PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid stated: “Gyeongju and Pohang each have unique significance within the Republic of Korea’s tourism industry: Gyeongju as the cradle of ancient Korean civilization, rich in cultural treasures, and Pohang as a vibrant coastal city where natural beauty blends seamlessly with contemporary attractions. They are the meeting point of tradition and modernity, reflecting the kind of depth and diversity that today’s traveler is increasingly seeking.”
He added: “We are especially proud that two cities will co-host the Summit for the first time in PATA’s history, making PAS 2026 a truly historic and symbolic celebration of our 75th anniversary as an association that unites various tourism sectors and global tourism leaders worldwide. I express my appreciation to our partners in Gyeongsangbuk-do and throughout the Republic of Korea for their hospitality and support, and look forward to working together to create a 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 up the torch as hosts of the upcoming PATA Annual Summit, continuing a legacy of tourism cooperation between the Association and Korea (ROK).
“It is a great honor for me to stand before you today and officially announce Gyeongju and Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea as host destinations for the PATA Annual Summit 2026,” said Kim Namil, chairman of GCTO and the head of the Gyeongsangbuk-do delegation of 13 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 PATA’s support and expertise, we believe this vision can become a powerful reality. We look forward to welcoming you all to Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, in 2026.”
Lee Dongup, chairman of Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural and Environmental Commission said: “Through close collaboration 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 states gathered here.”
Moreover, Jeong Seonghoon, manager at Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organizationgave a presentation on the destinations, highlighting the readiness and capabilities of the two cities as the upcoming hosts of the summit.
About Pohang and Gyeongju
Located in southeastern Korea (ROK), Gyeongsangbuk-do, or North Gyeongsang Province, has a diverse landscape ranging from forested highlands to coastal areas, as well as history and cultural heritage dating back centuries. The region offers visitors plenty of opportunities to explore traditional Korean heritage, including preserved temples, historic villages and local craftsmanship that reflects centuries-old customs.
The province’s largest city, Pohang, is a charming coastal destination known for notable landmarks such as the Hands of Harmony sculpture and the Hwanho Park Space Walk, a curved walkway that offers panoramic views of the city, coastline and surrounding nature. In 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. Gyeongju was once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom and is now home to major attractions such as the Royal Tombs, Cheomseongdae (the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in the world) and Gyeongju Tower.
Registration details and CO2 compensation costs
PAS 2026 reflects PATA’s commitment to sustainable tourism and aims to be a carbon neutral event. Therefore, participants are encouraged to contribute by paying the optional USD 10 carbon neutral fee.
Further details on 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 that leads tourism development in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea (ROK). It manages major tourism complexes such as Bomun, Gampo and Andong Cultural Tourism Complex, each offering a mix of recreational, cultural and maritime 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 in the Silla, Gaya and Confucian regions, increasing MICE capabilities to become a top five convention center in Korea, and creating unique, high-quality tourism products. GCTO is committed to promoting Korean tourism and seeks continued support.
