The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced that the bid for hosting the PATA Annual Summit 2024 has been awarded to the Macao Government Tourism Office. This prestigious annual event will be supported by SJM Resorts, S.A. and will be held from May 15 – 17, 2024 at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. The event is set to bring together international thought leaders, industry shapers and senior decision-makers who are professionally engaged in driving tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.
The extensive programme, comprised of plenary sessions, breakout sessions, the PATA Executive Board and Board meetings, and Annual General Meeting, will provide a platform for PATA’s public and private sector members and partners, and most importantly PATA Chapters and PATA Youth from around the world to discuss the challenges, issues and opportunities facing the industry as it looks towards the responsible and sustainable growth, value, and quality of tourism in the region.
“All of us at PATA are excited to be returning to Macao for the PATA Annual Summit 2024 and receive first-hand updates about the significant developments in the destination since having previously organising successful PATA Travel Marts in 2010 and 2017, as well as the PATA Annual Conference in 2005,” said Mr. Semone. “The Macao Government Tourism Office has been a strong partner of PATA since 1958 and they are our major sponsor for the PATA Gold Awards for the past 28 consecutive years. Next year’s event provides Macao with the perfect opportunity to showcase their destination and the Greater Bay Area to all delegates.”
Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, said, “It is an honor 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 be granted the opportunity to welcome delegates from near and far to meet in our city. Especially as this will be the first PATA event we host after the pandemic, allowing us to showcase to participants the current dynamic change in our destination towards more diversification for a memorable meeting in Macao.”
Macao, a special administrative region of China, harmoniously blends cosmopolitan style with a rich cultural heritage. Its historic district, known as “The Historic Centre of Macao,” is home to over 20 monuments and urban squares, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. This district is a testament to the unique integration of Eastern and Western cultures over centuries, offering visitors the chance to explore magnificent heritages and their fascinating stories. Macao’s cultural tapestry is a result of over four centuries of coexistence and interaction between Chinese and Western influences, culminating in a distinctive cultural landscape and a wealth of intangible cultural heritage.
Macao’s intangible cultural heritage encompasses a diverse range of practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills passed down through generations. This includes oral traditions, performing arts, social customs, rituals, and the know-how behind traditional crafts. The designation of Macao as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2017 adds a powerful international branding to the city’s portfolio. As of June 2020, Macao boasts a total of 70 items recorded on the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with 12 items inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Additionally, 11 items from Macao are recognized on the Representative List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, including the likes of Cantonese Opera, Herbal Tea Brewing, Woodwork – Religious Figure Carving, and Macanese Gastronomy, showcasing the rich tapestry of traditions that make Macao a cultural crossroads.
