PATA has opened applications for its next CEO contractual term, with a selection committee overseeing the process and the appointment expected to be completed by October 2026.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association, PATA, has opened applications for its next Chief Executive Officer contractual term. The PATA CEO recruitment process will continue until 20 August 2026.
Applicants must submit their materials by 17:00 Indochina Time, or GMT+7. Meanwhile, PATA will promote the vacancy through newsletters, trade channels and social media.
The association has published the position details on its careers page. These include the eligibility criteria, responsibilities and application procedure.
Selection committee will review applications
The PATA Executive Board has appointed a Selection Committee to manage the assessment process. The committee will review each application and evaluate eligible candidates.
Afterwards, it will prepare a shortlist and submit its recommendations to the Executive Board. The board will then consider the shortlisted candidates and select the next CEO.
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PATA expects to complete the process by October 2026. However, the association has not confirmed when it will announce the successful candidate.
It has also not disclosed how many applicants will reach the final stage. Therefore, further details will follow as the selection process develops.
Recruitment covers the next contractual period
The recruitment concerns the CEO role for the association’s next contractual term. It does not automatically confirm a leadership change.
Eligible candidates may apply under the conditions established by the Executive Board. Moreover, the process allows the board to assess both internal and external applicants.
The next CEO will oversee PATA’s strategy, operations and regional activities. The role also includes cooperation with members, industry partners and public tourism authorities.
Noor Ahmad Hamid currently leads PATA
Noor Ahmad Hamid currently serves as PATA’s Chief Executive Officer. He also participates in the Executive Board as an ex-officio member.
Hamid began his three-year term on 1 October 2023. Consequently, the current recruitment process covers the contractual period following that appointment.
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Before joining PATA, he worked in destination marketing, business development and association management. He also held senior positions in the international meetings and tourism sectors.
His previous roles included Asia-Pacific Regional Director at the International Congress and Convention Association. Earlier, he worked with Tourism Malaysia.
About the Pacific Asia Travel Association
PATA is a not-for-profit membership association founded in 1951. It represents tourism organisations operating across the Asia-Pacific region.
The association maintains its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition, it operates an official office in Beijing.
Its membership includes national tourism organisations, regional authorities and private tourism companies. Airlines, hotels, travel businesses and educational institutions also participate in its network.
PATA supports cooperation between the public and private sectors. Furthermore, it provides research, professional development and networking programmes for the regional tourism industry.
The association organises business events, policy discussions and training initiatives. Its main programmes include the PATA Annual Summit and PATA Travel Mart.
PATA also produces tourism research and market intelligence. As a result, its work supports destinations and companies across the Pacific Asia tourism economy.
The next CEO will manage the association’s secretariat and implement its strategic priorities. The executive will also work with the Executive Board and PATA’s international membership.
Therefore, the PATA CEO recruitment process will shape the association’s leadership after the current contractual period. PATA plans to complete the appointment by October 2026.