PATA Travel Mart 2026 officially launched

(From left to right) Dato Dennis Ngau, Datuk Sebastian Ting, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Dr. Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor and Noor Ahmad Hamid during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official launching of PATA Travel Mart 2026.

KUCHING, 19 August 2026: PATA Travel Mart 2026 was officially launched today by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who also took the time to check out the different organisations and destinations present at Asia Pacific’s leading international business-to-business travel trade event. 

Happening now at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), the event connects 221 buyers as well as 365 sellers for 2 days of scheduled business appointments, providing opportunities for new partnerships, source markets and future business. With over 4,000 business appointments scheduled across the two main Travel Mart days, the business exchange programme is the heart of PTM 2026.

“If I’m not mistaken, approximately 48 countries are part of PTM 2026, bringing the global community to Kuching. Besides the business exchange, there are also plenty of kiosks and booths that showcase Sarawak’s handicrafts and gastronomy to visitors from abroad. They can not only taste some of Sarawak’s signature dishes but also bring our products home upon the conclusion of PTM 2026,” said the minister during his walkabout.

Distinguised guests posing for a group photo at the Tourism Malaysia pavilion.

PATA Travel Mart 2026 is endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, hosted by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and supported by the Business Events Sarawak, marking the first time the Association’s signature travel trade exhibition is set to take place in Sarawak. 

Also present at today’s launching, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Datuk Sebastian Ting, PATA Chair, Henry Oh, STB Chairman, Dato Dennis Ngau, STB CEO, Dr. Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor and PATA CEO, Noor Ahmad Hamid.

Henry Oh (right) and Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah trying out some kek lapis.

A group photo at BorneoTalk’s own Stirring Up Borneo (SUB) Market.

Distinguished guests checking out Russia’s St. Petersburg photo exhibition.