BANGKOK/HONG KONG – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the renewal of its partnership with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) for an additional three years, extending their collaboration on the publication of the highly regarded Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts reports. The agreement, which runs through 2027, will focus on delivering comprehensive insights into tourism trends across the Asia-Pacific region, empowering stakeholders to address challenges and seize opportunities amidst global uncertainties.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid emphasized the importance of the forecasts, stating, “As the global travel and tourism industry develops, the Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts reports will continue to serve as a critical resource for stakeholders to address challenges and identify emerging opportunities in the face of economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Renewing our agreement with PolyU, a leading educational institution renowned for its world-class interdisciplinary research, ensures that PATA members receive the most updated insights on the region’s tourism demands.”

Driving Innovation in Tourism Forecasting

The collaboration, titled “Further Development of the Tourism Demand Forecasting for Asia Pacific Region (Phase 4)”, will harness advanced statistical forecasting methods, scenario analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, and stakeholder insights to produce highly detailed reports. These reports will cover key metrics such as inbound visitors, tourism receipts, and departures, offering indispensable data to tourism professionals, businesses, and destinations.

Prof. Haiyan Song, Associate Dean and Chair Professor at PolyU, expressed the university’s enthusiasm for the renewed partnership. “It has been our privilege to work with PATA in producing Visitor Forecasts over the past decades. These forecasts have generated considerable impacts on destination management and business operations for PATA members.”

Shaping Strategic Decisions in a Dynamic Landscape

The Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts reports are designed to support informed policymaking, strategic planning, and operational management. By offering actionable insights into evolving travel demand patterns, the partnership aims to help stakeholders navigate the uncertainties posed by economic and geopolitical challenges.

This extended collaboration reinforces PATA and PolyU’s shared commitment to advancing data-driven decision-making in the tourism sector. The reports are expected to further empower industry leaders to respond proactively to shifting market dynamics and emerging trends, ensuring the Asia-Pacific region remains a global leader in sustainable tourism development.

With this renewed focus on innovation and collaboration, the partnership between PATA and PolyU promises to play a vital role in shaping the future of tourism across Asia and the Pacific. (zai)
Photo: PATA