Photo (L/R): Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; Dr. Erwin Balane, Tourism Attaché, Philippines Department of Tourism – Korea Office; Hiroshi Tanimura, Executive Director of International Affairs Department at JATA, Secretary General of PATA Japan Chapter, representing Katsuo Aso, Senior Manager – Global Business Department, Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd.; Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority; Jadie Goo, Acting Chief Brand Officer, Hawaii Tourism Authority; Régine Lee, President & CEO, Guam Visitors Bureau; and Peter Semone, former Chair, PATA.
PATA recognised member organisations with 50, 60 and 70 years of membership during the PATA Annual Summit 2026, highlighting decades of contribution to tourism development across Asia Pacific.
PATA long-standing members were recognised during the PATA Executive Board & Board Member and PATA Awards Presentation Dinner held on 11 May as part of the PATA Annual Summit 2026 in Pohang, Republic of Korea.
The recognition formed part of the association’s 75th anniversary celebrations, honouring organisations that have maintained membership for more than 50, 60, and 70 years and contributed to the development of tourism across the Asia-Pacific region.
Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA, said: “As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Pacific Asia Travel Association, we are honoured to recognise our long-standing members whose continued support, trust, and collective voice have been instrumental in the growth, strength, and relevance of the Association. Their commitment continues to shape a more responsible and sustainable future for tourism across the Asia Pacific region.”Organisations recognised for more than 70 yearsPATA recognised four organisations for more than 70 years of membership: Guam Visitors Bureau(since 1951), Hawaii Tourism Authority (since 1951), Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd. (since 1956), and the Philippine Department of Tourism (since 1951).Other organisations with more than 70 years of membership that were unable to attend included Destination NSW, the Mariana Visitors Authority, Tahiti Tourisme, and Tourism Fiji.Organisations recognised for more than 60 years
Members recognised for more than six decades of membership included Global Tour, Ltd., Hong Kong Tourism Board, Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), Korea Tourism Organization, Macao Government Tourism Office, Nepal Tourism Board, Smith’s Motor Boat Service, Inc., Taiwan Tourism Administration, Thai Airways International, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Malaysia, World Express Group and Yeti Travels Pvt. Ltd..
Additional organisations with more than 60 years of membership that were unable to attend included DTH Destination (Thailand) Limited, Hecny Transportation Ltd., the Ministry of Tourism of India, Okinawa Tourist Service, Inc., Orient Express Private Ltd., Soaltee Hotel Limited and Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd.
Photo: Front row (L/R): Kamilia Hani Abdul Halim, Director, Tourism Malaysia Seoul; Suja Shakya, Senior Manager – Sales & Marketing, Yeti Travels Pvt. Ltd.; Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority, representing Kamika Smith, General Manager, Smith’s Motor Boat Service, Inc.; and Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office.Back row (L/R): Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; Hiroshi Tanimura, Executive Director of International Affairs Department, JATA, and Secretary General, PATA Japan Chapter; Tunku Iskandar, Partner, World Express Group, representing Tan Chee Chye, Chairman, World Express Group; Watcharaphan Bunnag, Chief of International Relations, Tourism Authority of Thailand; Yi-Chen Huang, Chief Secretary, Taiwan Tourism Administration; Natapol Vanichkul, Head of Sales, Northern, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited; Rohini Prasad Khanal, Officiating Director, Nepal Tourism Board; Yoon-Ho Kim, Director – Korea, Hong Kong Tourism Board; Kyungsoo Yang, Executive Vice President, Korea Tourism Organization; Henry Oh, Chairman, Global Tour, Ltd.; and Peter Semone, former Chair, PATA.
Organisations recognised for more than 50 yearsPATA also honoured organisations that have maintained membership for more than 50 years. These included All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, PACTO DMC Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority and Tourism Solomons.Other long-standing members in this category that were unable to attend included India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ITDC), Messe Berlin / ITB Berlin, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and PanTravel.
Celebrating decades of industry support
The awards highlighted the role that member organisations have played in supporting PATA’s activities and tourism development initiatives over several decades.
The recognition ceremony was part of the broader programme of the PATA Annual Summit 2026, which brought together tourism leaders, destination representatives, travel businesses and industry stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region.