April 21 - 23, İstanbul
Full Programme
Mon, April 21
PATA Executive Board Meeting (Executive Board Members only)
Venue: Cihangir, B Fl.
0900-1230
Registration
0830-1700
0900-1200
Destination Experience
1230-1330
PATA Executive Board and Delegate Lunch
Venue: Restaurant
1330-1500
Industry Roundtable
Venue: Pera, B FI.
Education Roundtable
Venue: Tophane, B Fl.
1330-1500
1500-1515
Networking Coffee Break
PATA Board Discussion (PATA Board Members only)
Venue: Sıraselviler, 2 Fl.
1515-1615
1615-1730
PATA Board Meeting (Invitation only)
Venue: Sıraselviler, 2 Fl.
1730-1900
PATA Life Members Get-Together (By invitation only)
PATA Executive Board and Board Members Dinner (By invitation only)
Venue: Feriye Palace
1930-2100
Tue, April 22
0800-1700
Registration
PATA Youth Symposium (For all delegates)
0900-1100
0900-1000
2025 PATA Annual General Meeting
Venue: Ballroom, B Fl.
1000-1100
Networking Coffee Break
Venue: Ballroom Foyer
1000-1230
Ask the PATA Experts (Open for appointments)
A brand-new, exclusive initiative that brings together the diverse expertise within the PATA network. Delegates can book one-on-one sessions with professionals from the PATA Pool of Experts to share knowledge, explore partnerships, and uncover business opportunities; thereby strengthening collaboration within the Association and enhancing thought leadership and industry engagement.
1230-1400
Lunch hosted by The Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA)
1100-1230
PATA Chapter Meeting (For all delegates)
Venue: Beyoglu, B Fl.
1100-1230
PATA Policy Forum (Invitation only)
Venue: Pera, B Fl.
1400-1700: Conference
Venue: Ballroom, B Fl.
Welcome by Master of Ceremonies
1400-1405
Jonathan Low
CEO, Global Success Learning Academy
1405-1410
Opening Remarks by TGA
Opening Remarks by PATA
1410-1415
Peter Semone
Chair, PATA
1415-1420
Opening Remarks by Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye
Opening Ceremony - Cultural Performance from TGA
1420-1425
PATA Thought Leaders Session: Timeless Wisdom for a Sustainable Future
This session brings together global thought leaders to explore how past lessons, and enduring values can inform the future of sustainable tourism. Speakers will share insights on economic resilience, cultural preservation, and technology’s role in fostering responsible travel.
1430-1500
Facilitator:
Noor Ahmad Hamid
CEO, PATA
Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu
Vice General Manager, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency
Speaker:
Government / Ministerial Session: Building a Sustainable Future
Tourism leaders from key markets explore the future of sustainability in travel and the role of policy in shaping resilient, responsible tourism. The discussion will highlight emerging trends, innovative regulatory frameworks, and strategic policies that balance economic growth with conservation while ensuring long-term benefits for communities.
1500-1545
Moderator:
Nikki Bedi
Presenter, BBC
Panellists:
Onur Gözet
Deputy Director General for Promotion, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Republic of Türkiye
Florian Sengstschmid
CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board
Networking Coffee Break
Venue: Ballroom Foyer
1545-1615
Ask the PATA Experts (Open for appointments)
1545-1730
Press Conference
Venue: Beyoglu, B Fl.
1545-1615
1615-1730: Conference
Venue: Ballroom, B FI.
What Makes Your Destination Unique?
In an increasingly competitive tourism landscape, standing out requires bold and innovative marketing strategies. This session will explore how destinations can innovate their storytelling, digital campaigns, influencer collaborations, and immersive content to captivate travellers and create lasting impressions.
1615-1630
Speaker:
Alan Elliott Merschen
Founder, The SIGMUND Project; Partner, International Insights, MMGY Global
Sustainability Panel: Temperature Rising – Our Role as Industry Players
With climate change accelerating, the tourism industry must take urgent action to reduce emissions, adopt responsible practices, and meet global sustainability standards. This panel will explore decarbonisation efforts, corporate social responsibility, and the role of sustainability certifications in driving meaningful change across the sector.
1630-1715
Randy Durband
CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
Moderator:
Panellists:
Paloma Zapata
CEO, Sustainable Travel International
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya
President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar
Rector, Kapadokya University
1715-1730
Wrap Up Day 1
PAS 2025 Welcome Dinner Reception and PATA Awards Presentation
Hosted by The Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA)
Venue: Esma Sultan Mansion
Dresscode: Black Tie or National Dress
1900-2100
Wed, April 23
Ask PATA Experts (Open for appointments)
0900-1700
0900-1700: Conference
Venue: Ballroom, B Fl.
Welcome by Master of Ceremonies
0900-0905
Jonathan Low
CEO, Global Success Learning Academy
Ideation Lab: Trend Accelerator
A fast-paced session where industry leaders unveil the latest travel trends shaping the future. From shifting consumer behaviours to digital transformations, this interactive discussion will set the stage for innovative thinking.
0905-1005
Hannah Pearson
Director, Pear Anderson
Facilitators:
Noor Ahmad Hamid
CEO, PATA
Speakers:
Yang Li
Head of Public Affairs, APAC, Booking.com
Fabrizio Angelo Orlando
Global Director, Industry Affairs Tripadvisor
Xin Mok
Public Sector, Mastercard Asia-Pacific
Mayur (Mac) Patel
Head of Asia, OAG Aviation
Fazal Bahardeen Founder and CEO, CrescentRating
In Conversation: Flying the World
An exclusive discussion exploring the future of air travel, sustainability, and airline innovation. In this fireside chat, we’ll dive into the cutting-edge technology and strategies redefining how we fly.
Interviewer:
1005-1030
Jackson Pek
SVP, Chief Corporate & Legal Affairs Officer, Amadeus
1030-1100
Networking Coffee Break
Breakout Sessions
1100-1230
Breakout Session 1
Venue: Ballroom, B FL.
Outbound Market Focus
This session analyses the evolving outbound travel landscape, exploring trends in key source markets like China, India, and Korea (ROK).
Panellists:
1100-1140
George Cao
Co-founder & CEO Dragon Trail
Vikram Madhok
Managing Director
Abercrombie & Kent India Ltd
Zeynep Mutlu Bigalı Head of Destination Partnerships, Skyscanner
Breakout Session 2
Venue: Siraselviler, 2 Fl.
Digital Nomads and the Future of Travel
The rise of remote work is reshaping tourism. This session explores how destinations are adapting to attract digital nomads, from visa policies to infrastructure and tailored experiences.
1100-1140
Olivier Ponti
Director - Intelligence & Marketing, ForwardKeys
Moderator:
Mine Dedekoca
Founder & Chief Happiness Officer, Happy Work Studio
Panellists:
Breakout Session 3
Venue: Ballroom, B Fl.
Building Tomorrow’s Tourism Workforce
As the tourism industry evolves, so must its workforce. This session explores strategies for attracting and developing talent, the growing importance of digital and sustainability skills, and how businesses can adapt to changing workforce expectations.
1150-1230
Simon Lloyd
Dean - Hospitality Management and Business Administration, Dusit Thani College
Moderator:
Panellists:
Olivier Berrivin
Vice President-APAC, BWH Hotels
Dr. Chris Bottrill
Associate Vice President, International, Capilano University
Breakout Session 4
Venue: Siraselviler, 2 Fl.
Practical AI Applications for Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing travel, from personalized experiences to predictive analytics. This session examines how businesses can integrate AI for efficiency, customer engagement, and revenue growth.
1150-1230
Panellists:
1230-1400
Lunch hosted by Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA)
Optimising Tourism for Meaningful Growth
As destinations welcome increasing visitor numbers, managing tourism effectively is key to long-term sustainability. This session explores strategies for balancing growth with carrying capacity, promoting off-season travel, and leveraging technology to enhance visitor experiences while preserving cultural and natural assets.
1400-1445
Moderator:
Jane Cunningham
Director of European Engagement, Destinations International
Panellists:
Raki Phillips
CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)
Mich Goh Director of Public Policy, APAC, Airbnb
Unlocking Potential: Insights from PATA’s Latest Human Capital Report
Join us for the exclusive launch of PATA’s latest report on Human Capital Development, offering fresh insights into workforce challenges, skills gaps, and emerging opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors. This concise yet impactful presentation will highlight key findings and actionable strategies to future-proof the industry’s talent pipeline.
1445-1500
Hannah Pearson
Director, Pear Anderson
Speakers:
Building Bridges: Tourism at the Crossroads of East and West
In an increasingly interconnected world, the relationship between the Asia Pacific and Europe in travel and tourism is more vital than ever. Join Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA and Eduardo Santander, Executive Director/CEO of the European Travel Commission (ETC), for a conversation exploring the evolving dynamics of this interdependent travel market. This engaging discussion will delve into how PATA and ETC can harness the power of strategic collaboration to create meaningful opportunities for their members, drive sustainable tourism growth, and strengthen regional cooperation. From shared challenges to emerging trends, they will explore ways to foster resilience, enhance destination marketing, and support the long-term sustainability of the industry. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives from two key industry leaders as they discuss the future of travel and tourism at the crossroads of East and West.
1500-1515
Eduardo Santander
Executive Director/CEO, European Travel Commission (ETC)
Speakers:
Noor Ahmad Hamid
CEO, PATA
1515-1545
Networking coffee break
The Future of Travel and Tourism
A visionary session on how travel will evolve over the next decade, exploring trends in digital transformation, changing traveller expectations, and industry resilience.
1545-1615
1615-1635
Next Destination Presentation
1635-1640
Noor Ahmad Hamid
CEO, PATA
Closing appreciation
Thu, April 24
Half day complimentary tour
Four (4) tour options are available. Please note each delegate can select only one tour. Timing of each tour varies. Please refer to the tour programme on the website. Limited seats available and offered on a first come first served
Or delegate departure / self paying tour
0800-1300
PATA Annual Summit 2025 is proudly supported by
Host
Official Airline Partner
Supporting Media Partners
