Gyeongsangbuk-do (Gyeongbuk), South Korea, has been selected to host the PATA Annual Summit 2026, marking a key moment for tourism in the Asia-Pacific region. The event will be held in the cities of Gyeongju and Pohang and will focus on building a more sustainable, inclusive, and people-centered tourism future.
During the 2025 PATA Annual Summit in Istanbul, Kim Nam-Il, President of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization (GCTO), spoke to TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific about the vision for next year’s summit. He described the 2026 event as a major opportunity to strengthen Korea’s global tourism presence. The summit will also mark the 50th anniversary of the GCTO.
Under the theme “Half a Century of Tourism, the Next Half-Century,” the summit will look back on five decades of tourism development while setting goals for the future. According to Kim, the event will be a starting point for Gyeongbuk’s global expansion after the APEC Summit.
Kim stressed that tourism should not just generate revenue. Instead, it should create real value, support local communities, and help fight regional decline. “We want to create a tourism system that puts people first and addresses global challenges like aging populations,” he said. The summit will promote this new approach to tourism and will support global efforts to build regenerative and meaningful tourism models.
To prepare for the event, Gyeongbuk is upgrading its infrastructure. Gyeongju already has the HICO Convention Center, and Pohang will open the new POEX MICE complex by 2026. These facilities are timed to follow the APEC Summit. In addition, the upcoming Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, expected to open in 2028, will improve international access to the region, strengthening its position as a MICE and tourism hub.
Sustainability will be a central theme. Kim explained that GCTO’s tourism model follows strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. These include policies that prioritize people, support local businesses, and promote long-term environmental care. The region is working to preserve traditional villages, grow community tourism, and help small and medium enterprises thrive. ESG is not just a slogan, Kim said—it is part of daily operations.
The summit will also begin a long-term partnership between Gyeongbuk and PATA. Kim emphasized that this is more than a one-time event. It will lead to future joint projects, training programs, and global networking opportunities. He said Gyeongbuk aims to become a testing ground for smart tourism technology and sustainable travel solutions, offering a model for other destinations in the region.
Looking at broader trends, Kim noted that Korea’s national tourism policy is changing. It now focuses more on helping regional communities and boosting local economies. “Tourism is now seen as a way to solve serious issues like rural population decline,” he said. Gyeongbuk is responding with immersive travel experiences, green tourism models, and digital transformation efforts that reflect this shift—from traditional sightseeing to living and learning together with local communities.
When asked why Gyeongju and Pohang were chosen to co-host the summit, Kim highlighted their unique identities. Gyeongju is known as Korea’s ancient cultural capital, while Pohang is a center of marine technology and innovation. Together, they show how Korea blends heritage with modern progress.
The PATA Annual Summit 2026 in Gyeongbuk will continue Korea’s long-standing relationship with PATA. More importantly, it will help lead the way in sustainable tourism and regional cooperation. As the Asia-Pacific region faces global changes, this event will shape a new future focused on resilience, sustainability, and people.
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