Bangkok, Thailand, August 11, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will host the PATA Youth Symposium 2025 on Monday, August 25, prior to the start of the PATA Travel Mart 2025, at Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok, Thailand. The event is hosted by the International College for Sustainability Studies at Srinakharinwirot University (SWUIC) in collaboration with Bangkok University International (BUI). The symposium will feature interactive panel discussions, inspiring dialogues with students, and exciting opportunities to connect with industry leaders in the Asia-Pacific tourism sector. Its aim is to equip young professionals with the skills they need for a successful career in this rapidly evolving industry.

“Supporting young people is not only an investment in their future, but also in the future of the tourism industry. Together, as an industry, we must build the bridges that lead them from their dreams to their successes,” explained Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA. “One of PATA’s most important tasks is to guide the next generation of tourism professionals – both those at the beginning of their careers and those already on their way to achieving their goals – and ensure they are ready to overcome obstacles and seize the opportunities that arise as soon as they enter the workforce.”

He continued: “PATA is of course very grateful to our host, the International College for Sustainability Studies at Srinakharinwirot University, and to all participating organizations for supporting us in helping the next generation of talent in our industry. Without them, this event would not be possible.”

Thanakorn Thongprayoon, Dean of the International College for Sustainability Studies at Srinakharinwirot University, stated: “SWUIC is deeply honored to host this inspiring and forward-looking event. The PATA Youth Symposium 2025 perfectly aligns with our mission to cultivate globally minded graduates who are not only well-prepared for their careers but also committed to a sustainable and inclusive future for the tourism industry. We believe in the power of youth, and by connecting them with industry leaders, we can spark new ideas and create significant change in our shared future.”

As host of the PATA Youth Symposium 2025, SWUIC warmly welcomes all participants to its campus. The university is committed to educating students to be global citizens with a deep understanding of sustainability and diversity, equipping them with the knowledge and skills essential for today's world. It offers the ideal environment to explore current career paths in the travel and tourism sector and to analyze the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Brief overview of the program

The symposium begins on August 25 with two inspiring keynote speakers: Sophia Montgomery, physics student at Harvard University and Olympian in women's dinghy sailing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Jonathan Low, CEO of the Global Success Learning Academy.

The program continues with an interactive panel discussion featuring graduates who have successfully entered the tourism industry. Participants are invited to contribute to this dialogue, which combines experience and ambition.

The symposium offers two additional panel discussions on practical career advice. In the session "Discovering the Invisible: Hidden Career Paths in Tourism," experts from the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Intrepid Travel, and iSanook Hotels & Resorts will highlight niche and lesser-known career paths in the tourism sector that students may not have considered before. In the subsequent session, "Career Ready: How to Impress Recruiters," HR professionals from Dusit International and other leading companies will provide practical tips on how to best prepare students for the job market.

The day concludes with a workshop for the student chapters, jointly organized by the PATA Thailand SWUIC Student Chapter and the PATA Thailand Bangkok University Student Chapter.