PATA Announces PAS 2025 Speaker Line-Up, Conference Topics, and New Initiatives

Global Tourism Leaders Set to Engage in Thought-provoking Discussions on Building a Future-ready Industry through Innovation and Sustainability at the PATA Annual Summit 2025

BANGKOK, April 15, 2025 – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has unveiled the final speaker line-up for the upcoming PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025), featuring influential voices shaping the future of Asia Pacific tourism and beyond. This year’s summit, hosted in collaboration with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) and supported by official airline partner Turkish Airlines, features a conference comprising thought-provoking sessions, the launch of the “Ask the PATA Experts” initiative, and an engaging three-day programme under the theme “Timeless Wisdom for a Sustainable Future”. 

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid stated, "The PATA Annual Summit is more than just an industry gathering—it is a catalyst for transformation, a platform where bold ideas and rigorous discussions shape the future of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. In a time marked by constant change and disruption, this Summit must serve as a strategic forum to build resilience across the industry, confront headwinds head-on and be future ready."

He added, "This year, we are proud to present an exceptional line-up of speakers from globally recognised organisations, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, UN Tourism, Saudi Tourism Authority, Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), BBC, Mastercard Asia-Pacific, leading travel technology companies, and many more.

“These distinguished leaders will deliver powerful insights on critical topics such as sustainable tourism development, emerging travel trends, destination marketing innovation, and the transformative role of technology. Together, we will drive meaningful action to secure a stronger, more adaptive, and more inclusive future for our industry.”

Mr. Sinan Seha Türkseven, Acting General Manager of TGA, said: “This year’s event will bring significant speakers and prominent tourism specialists together with the theme Timeless Wisdom for a Sustainable Future to share valuable insights, network, and exchange ideas. As the first country in the world to sign an agreement with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) at the governmental level and prepare a national sustainable tourism program, it is very meaningful to have discussions on sustainability and how it can impact the future of the industry at the PATA 2025 Annual Summit in İstanbul. 

As the Turkish Tourism Board, we will convey our approach to sustainability, a highly important topic for us in preserving and promoting our rich cultural and historical heritage and how we carry this vision to all other aspects of our promotional work. We see the summit as an important opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas on how to pass the historical, cultural, and traditional riches to future generations with a sustainability vision.

The speakers will discuss sustainable practices, government approaches, and the impact of technology on the adoption of new approaches from different perspectives, which I think will contribute to a clearer and more understandable view of the bigger picture.

As the summit's destination host, İstanbul, with its world-class infrastructure, unmatched connectivity, rich cultural heritage, and renowned culinary scene, is an ideal venue. We feel confident that the PATA Annual Summit 2025 will conclude successfully. 

We are looking forward to welcoming the PATA Annual Summit 2025 to İstanbul and extending the renowned Turkish hospitality for a fruitful event." 

Esteemed speakers for the main conference include:

• Peter Semone, Chair, PATA

• Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA

• Onur Gözet, Deputy Director General for Promotion, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Republic of Türkiye

• Sinan Seha Türkseven, Acting General Manager, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency

• Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu, Vice General Manager, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency

• Alan Elliott Merschen, Founder, The SIGMUND Project; Partner, International Insights, MMGY

• Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC Markets, Saudi Tourism Authority

• Armin Zerunyan, Vice President, TÜROB (Hotel Association of Türkiye)

• Bharat Nagpal, Senior Director, Adara

• Belma Sipka, Senior Product Manager, Hitit

• Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

• Chris Gregory-Pasha, Senior Director Of Sales - International, Sojern

• Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board

• Dr Chris Bottrill, Associate Vice President, International, Capilano University

• Dr Jens Thraenhart, Co-Founder, High-Yield Tourism

• Eduardo Santander, Executive Director/CEO, European Travel Commission (ETC)

• Fabrizio Angelo Orlando, Global Director, Industry Affairs, Tripadvisor

• Fazal Bahardeen, Founder and CEO, CrescentRating

• Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board

• George Cao, Co-founder&CEO, Dragon Trail International

• Hannah Pearson, Director, Pear Anderson

• Henry Oh Jr., Chairman, Global Tour; Executive Board Member, PATA

• Jackson Pek, SVP, Chief Corporate & Legal Affairs Officer, Amadeus IT Group

• Jane Cunningham, Director of European Engagement, Destinations International

• Jonathan Low, CEO, Global Success Learning Academy

• Justin Ong, Regional Manager, APAC, HBX Group

• Khanittha Phanworawat, Deputy Director of the Americas, the Middle East and Africa Region, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

• Matt Gibson, CEO, UpThink

• Mayur (Mac) Patel, Head of Asia, OAG Aviation

• Mich Goh, Director of Public Policy, APAC, Airbnb

• Mine Dedekoca, Founder & Chief Happiness Officer, Happy Work Studio

• Nikki Bedi, Presenter, BBC

• Olivier Berrivin, Vice President-APAC, BWH Hotels

• Olivier Ponti, Director - Intelligence & Marketing, ForwardKeys

• Paloma Zapata, CEO, Sustainable Travel International

• Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar, Rector, Kapadokya University

• Professor Geoffrey Lipman, Creative Disruption Architect, The SUNx Program

• Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

• Sarah Kopit, Editor-in-Chief, Skift

• Server Aydın, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), iGA Istanbul Airport

• Shahrin Mokhtar, Deputy Director General (Planning), Tourism Malaysia

• Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, CEO, Sarawak Tourism Board

• Sharlene Batin, Assistant Secretary, Philippines Department of Tourism

• Simon Lloyd, Dean, Hospitality Management and Business Administration, Dusit Thani College

• Tadashi Kaneko, Director of the Asia-Pacific Regional Office, UN Tourism

• Vikram Madhok, Managing Director, Abercrombie & Kent India Ltd.

• Xin Mok, Director, Public Sector, Mastercard Asia-Pacific

• Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, APAC, Booking.com

• Zeynep Mutlu Bigalı, Head of Destination Partnerships, Skyscanner

The PATA Annual Summit 2025 programme in brief

The summit will commence on Monday, April 21, with closed-door, strategic sessions — namely the PATA Executive Board Meeting, PATA Board Discussion and Meeting, and the PATA Life Members Get-Together — alongside Industry and Education Roundtable sessions held during the day. 

On the morning of the first day, participants are invited to engage with Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage by joining immersive workshops and guided tours. These experiences include the Simit Workshop, where attendees can learn to make Türkiye’s iconic sesame-crusted bread, the Ebru Workshop, a hands-on introduction to the ancient art of paper marbling, and the Turkish Coffee Workshop, which delves into the traditional brewing process of Turkish coffee, recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

The morning of April 22 will feature the PATA Annual General Meeting, the PATA Chapter Meeting, and the PATA Policy Forum. The main conference begins on that afternoon with the official opening and dazzling Turkish folk dance performance. Later that evening, delegates will have a chance to relax and network at the PAS 2025 Welcome Dinner Reception and PATA Awards Presentation, hosted by TGA at the historic Esma Sultan Mansion.

The final day of the Summit will feature a full day conference, continuing the high-level discussions and dialogues from the previous day. The entire conference programme will cover a range of topics, including the: ‘PATA Thought Leaders Session: Timeless Wisdom for a Sustainable Future’; ‘Government / Ministerial Session: Building a Sustainable Future’; ‘What Makes Your Destination Unique?’; ‘the Sustainability Panel: Temperature Rising – Our Role as Industry Players’; ‘Ideation Lab: Trend Accelerator’; ‘In Conversation: Rethinking Global Aviation’; ‘Outbound Market Focus’; ‘Building Tomorrow’s Tourism Workforce’; ‘Digital Nomads and the Future of Travel’; and ‘Practical AI Applications for Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality’ to name a few. During these insightful sessions, the Association will also take a moment to recognise its valued partners in a dedicated segment titled ‘Celebrating Collaboration’.

In addition, the inaugural ‘Ask the PATA Experts’ sessions are set to be launched during the event. Participants are granted the valuable opportunity to book private, one-on-one sessions with PATA’s experts on April 22 and 23 to receive tailored insights, explore collaboration opportunities, and identify new business leads. Delegates are encouraged to make their appointments in advance.

The Association is proud to continue the PATA Kind Hearts initiative at PAS 2025, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility while leaving a positive impact on local communities. This year’s recipient is Rami Library—housed within the 18th-century Rami Barracks and recognised as the largest library in İstanbul— Türkiye’s first library to receive the Biosphere Sustainable Museum Certification for its eco-friendly and sustainable management practices. Summit participants are encouraged to donate children’s books in various languages and genres during the event. These contributions will help foster a love of reading among children and promote inclusivity through diverse literary resources.

In addition, limited-seating complimentary and self-paying tours will also offer a deeper exploration of key cultural and historical landmarks in İstanbul and other parts of Türkiye. These curated experiences aim to deepen participants’ understanding of Türkiye’s heritage while complementing the Summit’s focus on cultural appreciation and sustainable engagement.

PATA remains committed to ensuring that the Annual Summit is a carbon-neutral event through its collaboration with the Kinik Wind Power Plant. This facility generates approximately 165,000 MWh of clean electricity annually, minimising environmental impact while supporting the local economy. Attendees are invited to make an optional contribution of USD 10 to support PATA’s carbon offset initiatives and advance the association’s sustainability objectives. 

For information on PATA’s 2024 carbon offset achievements, visit: www.pata.org/press-release/pata-achieves-full-carbon-neutrality-in-2024.

For more information about the PATA Annual Summit 2025, visit www.pata.org/pata-annual-summit-2025.