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THE PACIFIC Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency of Turkey (TGA) have announced the theme for the PATA Annual Summit 2025, “Timeless Wisdom for a Sustainable Future”.
The Summit, to be held at the CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul from 21-23 April 2025, will explore timeless principles that have shaped perspectives on culture, community and conservation, and provide a stage for industry leaders to discuss how these insights can be applied to address current challenges and seize new opportunities. The theme also highlights Turkey’s unique duality of preserving its rich heritage while moving towards a sustainable future.
According to PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid, the PATA Annual Summit is a premier thought leadership event that brings together global players in the tourism industry to explore trends and address critical issues shaping the future of tourism.
“We pride ourselves on bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders – from the public and private sectors to industry experts and young professionals – to foster meaningful, high-level discussions that drive the evolution of the industry,” he said.
Noor Ahmad Hamid added, “Set against the backdrop of Istanbul, Turkey, a city renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, the Summit provides an ideal platform for global dialogue. This dynamic setting underscores the mission to inspire cooperation and innovation in tourism development.
“Delegates from around the world will have the opportunity to engage in critical conversations, share insights and contribute to the advancement of an ever-evolving global tourism landscape. We look forward to welcoming delegates to this landmark event and working together to shape a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future for the tourism industry,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Sinan Seha Türkseven, Acting General Manager of TGA, said, “We are delighted to host the PATA Annual Summit 2025, a key event that brings together tourism professionals to share valuable insights, network and exchange ideas. We believe it is significant that the focus of this year’s Summit will be on heritage and sustainability.
“This year’s summit will be a great experience for participants as they will be able to experience the rich cultural heritage of our country. With 21 ancient sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List and 79 on the Tentative List, Turkey is home to many historical heritage sites,” he explained.
He went on to say that Turkey has the second highest number of items registered in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, with 31 registered cultural values. This wealth of human treasures and natural beauty also gives us the responsibility to protect this heritage, and in this context, we are striving to set an example to the world as the first country in the world to sign an agreement with the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) to develop a national sustainable tourism program.
“We look forward to welcoming PATA delegates to Istanbul, a city rich in history and culture, to experience this first hand and enjoy their time in the most ideal venue for this global meeting,” concluded Sinan Seha Türkseven.
Turkish Airlines, a global leader in connectivity with a network of over 120 destinations, is the Official Airline Partner of the event. The airline will offer exclusive discounts on air tickets to delegates attending the event. [sources/photo special]
