PATA and Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association Enter Strategic Partnership

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association (APOLA) have entered into a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

APOLA has been incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation with the mission to foster sustainable growth, innovation and excellence within the Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging sector, which is often called "glamping".

The MOU was signed by PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid and APOLA Executive Committee member Willem Niemeijer on 22 January at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2026 in Bangkok.

PATA CEO Noor said, "This partnership between PATA and APOLA will lead to a stronger foundation for international collaboration within the Asia Pacific region, opening the door to effective exchange of best practices and meaningful collaborations. We look forward to jointly advancing responsible and sustainable tourism in the region alongside APOLA, and bringing value to our respective members."

Willem Niemeijer, a founding member of APOLA said: "Outdoor lodging is growing at around 11% a year in the region. It is therefore fitting that APOLA works with PATA, the leading voice and authority on tourism in Asia Pacific, to draw attention to the potential that the sector has to deliver quality, nature-based responsible tourism experiences."

Niemeijer added that demand for nature-first tented camps, cabins, yurts, treehouses or nature pods on beaches, mountains, forests and natural areas has increased dramatically during and since the Covid pandemic. Apart from promoting sustainable practices, Niemeijer said APOLA also aimed to establish standards for the sector.

As outlined in the agreement, the areas of cooperation include reciprocal, complimentary membership access, enabling both organisations to utilise each other's member benefits at the respective association levels. The partnership also covers research and knowledge exchange, with APOLA contributing selected research, tourism insights, and travel trends on a quarterly basis through PATA's members-only communication channels.

In addition, the organisations will support reciprocal activities, including the mutual promotion of events and speaker participation where appropriate. Representatives and members of PATA and APOLA will be offered opportunities to engage across organisations through networking and annual events, with registration support provided in line with the agreement.

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PATA and APOLA agreement signed 22 January: (L to R) Matt Gebbie, Director, Horwath HTL, and Executive Committee Member, APOLA; Shyn Yee Ho, Director, Horwath HTL, and Executive Committee Member, APOLA; Willem Niemeijer, Executive Committee Member and Founding Member, APOLA; Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; and Michael Sagild, Co-founder & President, Cloud Collective, and Executive Committee Member, APOLA, at the signing.

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