Global tourism leaders to gather in Chiang Rai for PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2025 under wellness and tradition theme

(NEWS) BANGKOK, Thailand, 2025-Sep-8 — /Travel PR News/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has confirmed Chiang Rai as the host of the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2025 (PDMF 2025), which will take place from December 1–3 at the Heritage Chiang Rai Hotel & Convention. Announced during the closing of PDMF 2024, the selection of Chiang Rai highlights the province’s cultural richness and growing reputation as a sustainable, community-based tourism hub. Co-hosted by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Chiang Rai City, and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), with support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the forum will be held under the theme “Steeped in Tradition, Rooted in Wellness: Weaving the Meaningful Narrative of Travel.”

The event will combine destination immersion with practical sessions, giving industry leaders, destination marketers, and stakeholders a platform to exchange strategies and explore new approaches to sustainable tourism development. PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid praised the collaboration with Chiang Rai, calling it a continuation of PATA’s mission to spotlight emerging destinations on the global stage. Chiang Rai Governor Charin Thongsuk described the event as an opportunity to showcase the province’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and commitment to sustainability. Leaders from TCEB, TAT, and DASTA also emphasized Chiang Rai’s strengths as a MICE destination, its creative and cultural assets, and its alignment with Thailand’s value-based tourism strategy. Registration for the event is complimentary, with priority given to PATA members, and a small carbon offset fee will be applied to ensure the forum remains carbon neutral.

Last year, the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2024 was hosted in Phetchaburi Province from November 12–14, showcasing the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage, including the UNESCO-listed Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex. Co-organised with partners such as TCEB, DASTA, TAT, and Dusit Thani Hua Hin, the event welcomed more than 200 delegates from 22 destinations. Participants experienced curated tourism routes and joined discussions on how cultural heritage can drive economic growth, aligning with Thailand’s long-term national strategy to strengthen business tourism and sustainability.