PATA reveals speaker line-up for PTM Knowledge forum 2026 in Sarawak

PTM Knowledge Forum 2026 takes place 18 August at Sheraton Kuching Hotel
Speaker line-up includes tourism ministers, board chairmen and industry executives from across Asia Pacific
Forum explores tourism partnerships, sustainability, innovation and purposeful growth
PATA and GBTA sign MOU during the event
PATA Travel Mart 2026 follows at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching 18-20 August

The Pacific Asia Travel Association has been confirming the speaker line-up for the PTM Knowledge Forum 2026, taking place on 18 August at the Sheraton Kuching Hotel in Sarawak, Malaysia, alongside PATA Travel Mart 2026. The Forum, held under the theme “The Next Era: Impactful Partnerships, Purposeful Growth,” has brought together senior tourism leaders, destination experts, industry executives and innovators from across Asia Pacific and beyond to explore the forces shaping the next era of tourism. The programme has been designed to complement the commercial objectives of PATA Travel Mart 2026 by providing a platform for knowledge exchange, strategic dialogue and practical insights into tourism growth, partnerships, innovation, sustainability and destination development.

Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and Business Events Sarawak, the Forum has highlighted Sarawak’s approach to tourism development, including its focus on economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability through innovation and partnerships. The programme features speakers from tourism authorities, destination organisations, airlines, hospitality companies, technology firms, media and storytelling, and community-based tourism organisations. Confirmed speakers include The Honourable Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Dato Dennis Ngau, Henry Oh, Eugene Tang, Gary Bowerman, Dr Temesgen Assefa, Yang Li, Morshidi Fredrick, Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Sarah Mathews among others.

The Forum programme includes a fireside chat on “Tourism, Partnerships & Purposeful Growth,” a keynote on global business trends shaping tourism’s future, a Japan outbound tourism snapshot and sustainability-focused sessions. The Forum also marks the official launch of the new PATA & Content With Purpose digital series “Pacific Asia: Tourism with Purpose” and features two Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremonies, including an MOU between PATA and the Global Business Travel Association, and an MOU between TOP25 and the Sarawak Tourism Federation. PATA Travel Mart 2026 will take place at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching from 18-20 August 2026.

Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA, shared: PATA Travel Mart is fundamentally about connecting buyers and sellers and creating commercial opportunities, but business exchange is strengthened when the industry also has space to step back, examine the forces shaping tourism and share practical knowledge.