PATA has confirmed that the PATA Annual Summit 2026 (PAS 2026) will be jointly hosted by the cities of Gyeongju and Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea, in partnership with the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization (GCTO).
The event is scheduled to take place from May 11-13, 2026. The official handover was made on April 23, 2025, during the closing ceremony of the PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025) in İstanbul, Türkiye, marking the continuation of the association’s primary event.
South Korea has previously hosted the PATA Annual Summit five times: in Seoul in 1965, 1979 and 1994; in Jeju in 2004; and in Gangneung in 2018. In 2026, the cities of Gyeongju and Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do will jointly host the Summit.
During PAS 2025, Jeong Seonghoon, manager at the GCTO, gave a presentation on the destinations, outlining the preparations and capacity of the two cities to host the summit.
In line with PATA’s approach to sustainable tourism, PAS 2026 is planned as a carbon neutral event. Participants are invited to contribute by paying an optional carbon offset fee of US$10.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid stated: “Gyeongju and Pohang each hold unique significance within the Republic of Korea’s tourism industry – Gyeongju as a cradle of ancient Korean civilisation, rich in cultural treasures, and Pohang as a vibrant coastal city where natural beauty coexists seamlessly with contemporary landmarks. They are the meeting point of tradition and modernity, and reflect the kind of depth and diversity that today’s travellers increasingly seek.”
Kim Namil, GCTO president and the head of the Gyeongsangbuk-do delegation of 13 individuals who attended PAS 2025, added: “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 the support and expertise of PATA, we believe this vision can become a powerful reality. We look forward to welcoming you all to Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, in 2026.”
Further details about PAS 2026 and registration will be shared in due course.
