BANGKOK, September 8, 2026 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in partnership with strategic content creator Content With Purpose (CWP), has launched Pacific Asia: Tourism with Purpose, a new digital film series examining how tourism can create meaningful and lasting value for destinations, businesses, communities and travellers across the region.
Launched during PATA’s 75th anniversary year, the series looks ahead to the next era of tourism in the Asia Pacific region. Through documentary films, expert interviews and real-world case studies, it explores how the sector can respond to climate pressures, changing traveller expectations, rapid technological development and the need for more inclusive and resilient growth.
Tourism is central to the economies, identities and livelihoods of destinations throughout the Asia Pacific region. However, its future success will depend not only on attracting more visitors, but on managing tourism in ways that protect the places people travel to experience and ensure that local communities share in its benefits.
Pacific Asia: Tourism with Purpose moves beyond aspiration to spotlight organisations and people already putting these principles into practice. The films examine approaches to destination stewardship, climate action, community participation, responsible innovation, workforce development and regional cooperation.
Produced by CWP in partnership with PATA, the series features contributions from destinations, tourism organisations, educational institutions and businesses operating across the region and wider visitor economy.
Content partners featured in the series include: Hainan University-Arizona State University International Tourism College, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hong Kong Metropolitan University Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, Marianas Visitor Authority, Song Saa, The Luxury Signature, and Travelife.
The series also brings together perspectives from tourism leaders, policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs and practitioners, including: Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; Insook Lee, Executive Director for the Americas, Korea Tourism Organization; Karen Yu, Group Editor, TTG Asia Media; Deepak Joshi, Advisor, PATA Nepal Chapter; Soon-Hwa Wong, PATA Ambassador for Greater China; and Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, Asia Pacific, Booking.com.
Among the stories featured are community-led responses to overtourism in Hawaii, tourism enterprises in Lao PDR that connect conservation with local livelihoods, and destination models in the Philippines and Thailand that rethink the relationship between people, place and prosperity. The series also follows students and educators examining how tourism can preserve cultural identity, explores how Indigenous knowledge continues to shape stewardship in the Marianas, and looks at how hospitality businesses are redefining sustainability, luxury and long-term value. Together, these films offer a glimpse into the people and ideas shaping a more thoughtful future for tourism across the Asia Pacific region.
Together, these stories demonstrate that tourism with purpose can take many forms: safeguarding biodiversity and cultural heritage, creating opportunities for local enterprises, improving skills and career pathways, using technology more responsibly and preparing destinations for future disruption.
The series reflects PATA’s commitment to advancing a meaningful Pacific Asia tourism economy – one in which tourism supports long-term social, cultural, environmental and economic outcomes.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said, “As PATA celebrates its 75th anniversary, Pacific Asia: Tourism with Purpose reflects our ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge and showcasing practical solutions that support the future of tourism across the region. Through inspiring stories from destinations, businesses and communities, this series highlights how collaboration, innovation and responsible leadership can create lasting benefits for both people and places. We are proud to partner with Content With Purpose on this initiative and hope it inspires others to help shape a stronger, more resilient visitor economy.”
Alongside this, Max Smith, Founder and Managing Director of Content With Purpose, said: “The most powerful stories in tourism are not about the places people visit; they are about the people who care for those places, the communities whose lives are shaped by tourism and the ideas that can help destinations flourish for generations to come. Across Pacific Asia, we encountered people turning purpose into action with creativity, courage and a deep sense of responsibility. This series brings their stories together, not only to showcase what is possible, but to inspire others to imagine a better future for tourism and play their part in creating it.
Storytelling can make complex challenges feel human, urgent and achievable. Our hope is that these films encourage audiences to look beyond tourism as an industry and see it as a powerful force for connection, opportunity and lasting positive change.”
The series is intended for tourism professionals, destination management organisations, government and public-sector leaders, businesses, educators, researchers, students, investors and communities with a role in shaping the visitor economy.
It also supports PATA’s wider work to share knowledge, enable networking and protect tourism economy assets through innovation, collaboration and adaptability.
The digital launch follows a preview of the series at PATA Travel Mart 2026, where members of the regional tourism community were given an early look at the stories and perspectives featured in the films.
Pacific Asia: Tourism with Purpose is now available to watch for free here.
“Pacific Asia: Tourism with Purpose” is a digital film series produced by the Pacific Asia Travel Association and Content With Purpose. Through documentary storytelling, expert perspectives and real-world case studies, the series explores how tourism can contribute to resilient destinations, thriving communities, responsible businesses and the protection of cultural and natural heritage.
Key themes include:
- Destination stewardship and community participation
- Sustainable tourism and climate action
- Tourism technology and responsible innovation
- Skills, leadership and capacity building
- Crisis preparedness and resilience
- Regional connectivity and collaboration
- Inclusive growth and the wider social and economic value of tourism
Representatives from PATA, Content With Purpose and selected participating organisations are available for interviews and expert commentary on topics including:
- The future of tourism across Pacific Asia
- Destination stewardship and community-centred tourism
- Tourism resilience and climate adaptation
- Technology and innovation in the visitor economy
- Skills and workforce development
- PATA’s 75-year legacy and priorities for the future
About PATA
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to advancing a meaningful Pacific Asia tourism economy. Guided by its mission to share knowledge, enable networking, and protect tourism economy assets through innovation, collaboration, and adaptability, PATA brings together governments, industry leaders, academia, and communities to drive positive, lasting change. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Bangkok, the Association also has an official office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.
About Content With Purpose
Content With Purpose is a strategic content creator specialising in documentary storytelling and global communications campaigns focused on sustainability, innovation and social impact. Working with associations, organisations, institutions and industry leaders worldwide, CWP creates films and campaigns designed to inform, engage and inspire action around some of society’s most important challenges.
More information: www.contentwithpurpose.co.uk
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