PATA and Filtrum Partnership Highlights Growing Focus on Microplastics and Wellness in the Tourism Sector

Gyeongju, Korea (ROK), May 14, 2026 - The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Filtrum Inc., a health- and sustainability-driven company focused on addressing the growing challenge of microplastic contamination in bottled water. The signing was held during the PATA Annual Summit 2026 (PAS 2026) on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing global tourism wellness and supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Following the signing, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said, "While this partnership is cross-sectoral, both PATA and Filtrum share a common goal of improving public health and ensuring the availability of water and sanitation across the Asia Pacific."

He noted that through this collaboration, "PATA and Filtrum aim to raise awareness, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support solutions that reduce microplastic contamination in drinking water and its impact on the well-being of travellers and communities alike. I sincerely thank Filtrum for the opportunity to collaborate on such an important cause."

Filtrum CEO, Robert Brown, followed up by saying, "Every human being is going to drink water today. None of them know what's in it. Our partnership with PATA helps Filtrum reach a global travel audience as more people become aware of microplastic exposure and its negative impact on personal health, sustainability, and guest wellness. For many travellers', bottled water has become the default - not because it is ideal, but because it is convenient. Filtrum is built to give people more choice, knowledge, and transparency in how they drink water on the go, while helping hospitality brands deliver a higher standard of service and care."

The partnership also aligns with recent movements taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address microplastic contamination in drinking water, underscoring the growing focus on the issue and its implications for public health. While this particular effort focuses on the US, it inspired PATA to recognise the true importance of supporting missions like that of Filtrum's, which promote access to safe drinking water cleaned of microplastics for all.

As outlined in the agreement, areas of cooperation include research and knowledge exchange, advocacy efforts, and marketing efforts. The MoU establishes a foundation for ongoing cooperation, with both parties expressing the intention to pursue joint initiatives in the future.

About FIltrum

Filtrum Inc. produces high performance portable filtration systems engineered to remove microplastics from bottled water. Its mission is to lead the shift to cleaner, safer, and more sustainable hydration through our passion for health, product design, expertise, and scientific collaboration. Visit www.aelofilter.com.