PATA inks pact with EATOF To Boost Tourism in Asia Pacific

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced a new partnership with the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF), an international tourism association that strives to develop a tourism community across the East Asia region and provide a solid forum to come together in unity.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by EATOF Secretary General Hyeon Jun-Tae, and PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid on Thursday, during the PATA Annual Summit 2024 (PAS 2024) in Macao, China.  The signing was witnessed on stage by PATA Chair Peter Semone and Joo Eun Joung, International Team Leader, Gangwon State Government and EATOF Secretariat.

What the Associations Said

“PATA is delighted to solidify our relationship with the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation and we look forward to working closely with EATOF in the coming years,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “By collaborating on innovative initiatives, we can harness the collective strength of our members to support both organisations' efforts toward the responsible development of tourism across the Asia Pacific region.”

The signing of the MoU took place during the 'Partnerships for Tomorrow' session of the PAS 2024 programme, representing PATA and EATOF's joint commitment to establish an alliance for the activation of tourism in the Asia Pacific region. It stands as a testament to how strategic collaborations are key to propelling sustainable development forward, promoting resilience and innovation across the global tourism landscape.

“As the Secretary-General of EATOF, I am pleased that EATOF is stepping up into a global tourism alliance by signing an MOU with PATA, a pillar of Asia Pacific Tourism," said EATOF Secretary-General and Director-General of Gangwon State, Korea (ROK), Hyeon Jun-Tae. "We will strive to contribute to boosting local tourism through various businesses, including mutual collaboration in tourism, youth engagement, big data analysis, and more.”

The MoU outlines promising collaborations between PATA and EATOF aimed at fostering mutual participation in significant events hosted by each association (namely the EATOF General Assembly and the PATA Annual Summit), sharing exemplary sustainable practices, and facilitating collaborative initiatives spanning from educational endeavours to regional tourism programmes.

The East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF) was formed in 2000 by nine local governments in East Asia, with Gangwon State leading the way. Through collaborative efforts of each member province, EATOF has sought to increase its membership, reinforce the foundation for further cooperation, and ensure more active exchange between its members. Ten member provinces in ten countries are currently participating, with the EATOF Secretariat located in Gangwon State, Korea (ROK).