Bangkok and Krabi at the center of sustainable tourism

The event will take place from September 7 to 13, 2025, in Bangkok and Krabi province, destinations that reflect the country's cultural and environmental diversity.

For Khunsub, the meeting is more than a tourist milestone: it's an opportunity to reposition Thailand on the global sustainable tourism stage. "We want to show that Thailand takes regenerative and responsible tourism seriously. We work closely with international organizations to align our practices with global standards," she says.

Main tourist source markets

In 2024, Thailand welcomed more than 35 million international visitors, amid a strong recovery in the sector. The top five source countries were, in this order: China, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, accounting for almost half of the foreign tourists who visited the country.

The origin of Tourism Cares

The Tourism Cares program emerges as a catalyst for best practices that unite the international market, local communities, and sustainability. According to Khunsub, the choice of Thailand was a natural one: "Tourism Cares is a trusted organization, especially for US operators. Working with them allows us to demonstrate that our initiatives not only exist but are also ready to be compared to international standards."

Bangkok and Krabi were chosen as Summit destinations because they represent different facets of Thai tourism: the renowned metropolis, with its sustainable surprises, and the province that already serves as a prototype for projects aligned with environmental preservation.

The future of community tourism

Community-based tourism is one of Thailand's strongest investments. For Khunsub, it's intrinsically linked to the concept of sustainability: "When we talk about sustainable tourism, the benefits need to reach the communities. That's the answer: each link in the chain must take responsibility."

The expectation is that this model will continue to grow, both due to the demand from travelers seeking authentic experiences and the engagement of the communities themselves.

Continuity and strengthening

The lieutenant governor believes that community-based tourism is more than a trend: it's an irreversible path. "We've learned a lot in these 65 years of tourism. Now we're on a path of maturity: it's not enough to grow in numbers; we need to offer value and ensure that the profits return to the communities," explains Khunsub.

This commitment is embodied in the Thai Tourism Green Plan, which aims to place the country among the 100 most sustainable destinations in the world by 2030.

Thailand at the center of the global debate

Hosting the Global Meaningful Travel Summit is a milestone for the country. "We are very honored to host this event. For us, tourism is not only economic, but also a tool for social transformation and development in areas lacking opportunities," emphasizes Khunsub.

The executive believes that the Thai people's natural hospitality, combined with their cultural and geographic diversity, makes the country a unique setting for discussing the future of global tourism. "What sets us apart are the people. Thais are born with hospitality, and that's what makes the experience unforgettable," she concludes.

Report and photo: Mary de Aquino.