PATA Reaffirms Support for Rainforest Youth Summit 2026 in Sarawak
Bangkok, Thailand, February 27, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to once again endorse the Rainforest Youth Summit 2026 (RAYS 2026), held in collaboration with the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), taking place in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, from June 24 – 26, 2026.
Positioned as a collaborative platform for environmental conservation and sustainable development, RAYS 2026 brings together young leaders, sustainability advocates, and emerging changemakers from across ASEAN and beyond. The programme encourages youth-led dialogue on climate resilience, alongside the development of pragmatic action plans that support responsible and inclusive transformation.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said, “Having had the opportunity to attend RAYS last year, I was inspired by the strong participation of youth united by a clear and shared purpose: protecting our environment. This dialogue is one that PATA is proud to support, and I am confident that RAYS 2026 will continue to serve as a vital platform for young people to exchange ideas, take action, and emerge as changemakers for our planet.”
As an endorser of the event, PATA will leverage its global network of student chapters and communication channels to amplify the event’s outreach and visibility.
STB CEO Dr. Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said, “We deeply appreciate the continued endorsement from PATA, which reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership and shared commitment to advancing sustainable tourism. As host of the Rainforest Youth Summit 2026, Sarawak remains focused on delivering a structured platform that connects youth, industry, and community stakeholders in meaningful collaboration across ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific.”
RAYS serves as a regional platform that connects youths with indigenous leaders, scientists, and creatives, encouraging participants to better understand their role in advancing climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and cultural continuity. The programme will feature expert-led sessions, interactive lab workshops grounded in lived experience, and curated off-site excursions centred on Sarawak’s protected rainforest areas. This year’s theme – Youth: Many Ways, One Planet – further highlights how young people from diverse backgrounds can unite around a shared commitment to create a more sustainable world.
The closing of the summit will coincide with the opening day of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2026 (RWMF 2026), one of Sarawak’s most celebrated cultural events. The festival was ranked among the Top 10 in the Transglobal World Music Chart’s 2025 Festival Awards.
Early bird tickets are available to purchase from today until March 15. For youths in the ASEAN region seeking financial assistance to attend the event, applications are now open for the RAYS ASEAN Access Fund.
The event is proudly funded and organised by the State Government of Sarawak, and endorsed by ASEAN, PATA, and UN Tourism.
