A global gathering of international thought leaders, industry influencers

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The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has declared Macao as the host city for the much-anticipated PATA Annual Summit 2024. The Macao Government Tourism Office, in collaboration with SJM Resorts, S.A., secured the bid, promising an extraordinary event scheduled to take place from May 15 to 17, 2024, at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau.

This annual summit is poised to assemble a distinguished gathering of international thought leaders, industry influencers, and senior decision-makers dedicated to steering tourism within the Asia-Pacific region. The comprehensive programme encompasses plenary sessions, breakout sessions, PATA Executive Board and Board meetings, and the Annual General Meeting. These sessions will serve as a platform for PATA's public and private sector members, partners, as well as PATA Chapters and PATA Youth from across the globe, facilitating discussions on challenges, issues, and opportunities within the industry.

"We are thrilled to return to Macao for the PATA Annual Summit 2024 and witness firsthand the significant developments in the destination," expressed Mr. Semone, a representative of PATA. "Macao Government Tourism Office has been a steadfast partner since 1958, and their sponsorship of the PATA Gold Awards for the past 28 consecutive years showcases their commitment. This event presents Macao with a prime opportunity to showcase its destination and the Greater Bay Area to all delegates."

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, expressed her excitement, stating, "It is an honour for Macao to host the PATA Annual Summit 2024. PATA holds a special place in the heart of our tourism industry, and we are happy to once again welcome delegates from near and far. Especially as this will be the first PATA event we host after the pandemic, allowing us to showcase the current dynamic change in our destination towards more diversification for a memorable meeting in Macao."

Macao, a special administrative region of China, boasts a harmonious blend of cosmopolitan style and rich cultural heritage. The UNESCO World Heritage Site "The Historic Centre of Macao," with over 20 monuments and urban squares, stands as a testament to the unique integration of Eastern and Western cultures over centuries.

As a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2017, Macao's intangible cultural heritage comprises a diverse range of practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills passed down through generations. With 70 items recorded on the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage and 12 items on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Macao showcases a rich tapestry of traditions, including Cantonese opera, herbal tea brewing, woodwork, religious figure carving, and Macanese gastronomy. This designation adds powerful international branding to the city's portfolio, making it a cultural crossroads and an ideal host for the PATA Annual Summit 2024.