Tourism

A recent cost analysis places Aspen, Colorado, ahead of New York City as America’s most expensive destination for travelers. The study, conducted by GOBankingRates and highlighted by Travel + Leisure, estimates a three-night trip for two adults in Aspen at about $2,708, including hotels, flights, and meals. This positions Aspen at the pinnacle of pricey U.S. travel in 2025.

For Thai travelers, Aspen’s rise challenges the assumption that New York or Los Angeles are the nation’s priciest cities. The report shows that Aspen’s appeal extends beyond ski season to summer outdoor activities, cultural events, and an aura of exclusivity that sustains premium pricing year-round. As outbound Thai tourism to the United States recovers post-pandemic, more families and young explorers are weighing experiences against budgets.

Mongolia is rising on travellers’ lists as a destination of vast grasslands, nomadic traditions, and pristine nature. Travel advisers cited by a recent business and travel feature note that Mongolia offers a rare offbeat experience for those eager to immerse themselves in authentic culture and dramatic landscapes. The appeal is especially strong for Thai travelers seeking meaningful, sustainable travel.

Historically overlooked next to its more popular neighbors, Mongolia now earns praise from international tour operators as a unique destination. The country, known as The Land of the Eternal Blue Sky, boasts hundreds of sunny days each year, sweeping steppes, and centuries-old nomadic life that has endured amid modern pressures. For visitors, this creates a striking contrast to crowded, fast‑changing urban hubs elsewhere in Asia.

Tourists seeking an experience beyond the ordinary are increasingly looking to Mongolia, where vast steppes, nomadic traditions, and untouched nature offer a unique journey unlike anywhere else in Asia. According to travel advisers highlighted in a recent Business Insider article, Mongolia’s tourism is gaining attention as a rare destination for those eager to wander off the beaten path and engage deeply with authentic local culture and dramatic landscapes. This trend holds special appeal for adventurous Thai travellers and those in search of meaningful, sustainable tourism.

As global travel rebounds with unprecedented force, new research warns that the benefits of mass tourism may be shadowed by serious costs—both for beloved destinations and their residents. In 2024, a staggering 1.4 billion people traveled internationally, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, accounting for roughly one in six people worldwide. For many communities, this surge has been a mixed blessing: while it has brought economic prosperity, it is also overwhelming town centers, fracturing local cultures, inflating living costs, and jeopardizing the pristine sites that first drew visitors from afar (UNWTO).

A global travel rebound is under way, but new research warns that mass tourism may come with steep costs for destinations and residents. In 2024, international travel reached about 1.4 billion departures, roughly one in six people on Earth, according to the World Tourism Organization. The surge has brought jobs and investment, yet it also crowds town centers, strains local cultures, pushes up living costs, and threatens the very sites visitors seek.

A growing number of globetrotters are bypassing hotels and short-term rentals in favor of a new travel trend: house-sitting tourism. This emerging phenomenon allows travelers to secure free accommodations by caring for someone else’s home—and often their pets—while the owners are away, creating win-win scenarios for both sides and reshaping how people experience destinations worldwide (USA Today, BBC, Business Insider).

The evolution of house-sitting tourism has been fueled by rising global travel costs and the proliferation of digital platforms connecting homeowners with would-be house sitters. With platforms like TrustedHousesitters reporting a 14% increase in membership between 2023 and 2024, now exceeding 240,000 global users, the model has shifted from a niche option for pet lovers or retirees to a mainstream choice embraced by solo travelers, remote workers, millennials, and baby boomers alike (USA Today).

House-sitting is emerging as a practical travel option for budget-conscious explorers and remote workers. Travelers can stay for free by caring for someone’s home and pets while the owners are away, creating a win-win dynamic that reshapes how destinations feel to visitors.

The rise of house-sitting comes as travel costs climb and digital platforms connect homeowners with trusted sitters. TrustedHousesitters reports a growing global community, with membership surpassing 240,000 in 2023–2024. The model has moved from a niche hobby for pet lovers to a mainstream choice embraced by solo travelers, remote workers, Millennials, and Baby Boomers alike. Research from leading travel outlets notes this shift toward affordable, authentic stays.

Eco-tourism is emerging as a critical ally in the fight to save endangered sea turtles in the Florida Keys, turning tourist curiosity and compassion into vital support for veterinary care and conservation. At the famed Turtle Hospital in Marathon, veterinarians face mounting financial pressures, yet visitor engagement is proving key to their continued success in saving countless marine lives. This model, blending wildlife education and tourism, holds profound lessons for conservation initiatives in Thailand and around the world.

Eco-tourism is proving to be a vital ally in saving endangered sea turtles, turning tourist curiosity into essential support for veterinary care and conservation. At the Florida Keys’ Turtle Hospital in Marathon, veterinarians grapple with budget pressures, yet visitor engagement funds crucial medical treatments and recovery efforts. This blend of wildlife education and tourism offers lessons relevant to Thailand’s coastal communities and global conservation efforts.

Over four decades, the Turtle Hospital has treated thousands of injured sea turtles. Common injuries include boat strikes, entanglement in plastic debris, and damage from fishing gear, all intensified by climate change. The hospital currently cares for a turtle that lost half a flipper and vision in one eye after a predator encounter and multiple injuries—an emblem of the dangers sea turtles face and their capacity for resilience with proper care. Yet, the facility faces ongoing financial strain, underscoring the need for sustainable funding streams.

As protests against mass tourism flare up once again across Europe’s most visited destinations, the continent is experimenting with ambitious new strategies to strike a balance between tourism and residents’ quality of life. Policymakers, tourism boards, and local communities from Switzerland to Spain and Germany are rolling out innovative programs to fight overcrowding, preserve natural and cultural heritage, and rethink the very nature of travel in a post-pandemic age. The struggle underway in Europe offers vital lessons for Thailand, which faces its own battles with overtourism in places like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and the islands of the Andaman and the Gulf.

European cities are testing bold, long-term solutions to overtourism. Protests in top destinations have prompted reforms aimed at protecting residents’ quality of life, safeguarding natural and cultural heritage, and rethinking travel in a post-pandemic era. The lessons resonate in Thailand, where places like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and the Andaman and Gulf islands face similar pressures.

The Canary Islands and other hotspots have drawn global attention to housing pressures, resource strains, and crowded sites. Yet officials are optimistic. A wave of reforms focuses on decentralizing visitor management, expanding sustainable transport, and incentivizing responsible travel. Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is already weighing similar approaches as international arrivals rise again after the pandemic.

A newly published study in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications has unveiled a significant connection between an individual’s childhood socio-economic status and their likelihood of seeking out wellness tourism as adults. The research deploys advanced analytical methods to deepen our understanding of this emerging trend, offering insights that may inform how Thailand’s tourism industry strategises for a post-pandemic future and addresses wider issues of health equity.

The report, titled “Relationship between childhood socio-economic status and wellness tourism intention: a combined PLS-SEM and NCA methods” (nature.com), highlights the psychological and social factors that drive people to invest in travel experiences tailored for health and wellbeing. By leveraging both Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), the study provides a robust framework to map out how early life experiences impact adult travel preferences.

A new study in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications reveals a strong link between childhood socio-economic status (SES) and the likelihood of pursuing wellness tourism as adults. Using advanced analytics, the research provides a nuanced view of how early-life experiences influence travel choices related to health and well-being. For Thailand’s tourism sector, the findings offer guidance on how to rebuild post-pandemic growth with a focus on health equity.

According to the study’s framework, researchers combined Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to map how early SES translates into adult wellness tourism intentions. This dual approach strengthens confidence in the results, showing that early exposure to health-promoting resources can shape lifelong travel preferences. Thailand’s wellness market—featuring spa retreats, meditation programs, holistic therapies, and nature-based experiences—continues to attract global visitors. Thailand’s governing agencies consistently highlight the country as a leading wellness destination, with traditional Thai therapies and premium health facilities drawing travelers worldwide.

A Shanghai bookstore renowned for its futuristic interior design, which has been drawing enthusiastic crowds even through the recent summer rainstorms, is being lauded as one of the city’s latest cultural and tourism landmarks. Locals and visitors alike are flocking to the site, which has, since its 2013 opening, become a shining symbol of the dramatic transformation underway in China’s traditional bookstore sector (CGTN).

The emergence of this bookstore as a magnet for both culture-seekers and tourists is emblematic of broader shifts in urban China, where physical bookstores are evolving from mere retail outlets into experiential destinations. Despite the digital boom—e-books, online retailers, and audiobooks—demand for tactile, immersive reading environments persists and appears to be growing, particularly among younger generations and urban professionals seeking communal experiences and creative inspiration.

A Shanghai bookstore famed for its futuristic interior design is drawing steady crowds, rain or shine. Since its 2013 opening, it has emerged as a cultural and tourism beacon in the city, reflecting China’s broader shift toward experiential retail. The format suggests that physical bookstores can thrive as immersive destinations even in the digital age.

Industry observers note that Shanghai’s flagship store exemplifies a trend: readers want more than shelves of books. They seek spaces that blend reading with art, design, and social interaction. This mirrors global patterns in Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok, where iconic bookstores have become social media magnets and popular urban attractions, boosting cultural tourism.

A new international study questions two decades of climate pledges in tourism, showing the sector’s progress toward reducing emissions has been limited. Conducted by researchers at Linnaeus University in Sweden and the University of Waterloo in Canada, the analysis reviews major climate declarations since 2003 by governments and tourism bodies. Although commitments are plentiful, concrete emissions cuts remain elusive. For Thailand, a top global travel destination, the findings carry urgent implications as the sector drives growth while facing growing demands for environmental responsibility.

A landmark international study has found that despite twenty years of climate pledges, the global tourism industry has made scant progress towards reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, calling into question the sector’s commitment and strategies for climate action. The research, carried out by teams at Sweden’s Linnaeus University and Canada’s University of Waterloo, analyzes the effectiveness of climate declarations from leading tourism organizations and governments since 2003. The findings reveal that while climate commitments abound, meaningful results—especially in terms of emissions reductions—remain elusive, raising urgent concerns for countries like Thailand where tourism is a national economic pillar and environmental sustainability is increasingly central to policy and public debate (Skift).

Amid the global resurgence of travel, a new trend is captivating both visitors and Thais alike: nostalgia tourism, which sees travelers gravitating toward places, experiences, and traditions that evoke cherished memories and offer emotional comfort. Recent research and industry reports reveal that this phenomenon is not merely a passing fad but a powerful movement reshaping tourism in 2025 throughout Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region—rekindling interest in historic districts, family-run eateries, traditional festivals, and “retro” vacation spots that promise the warmth of the familiar in a rapidly changing world.

Nostalgia tourism is taking center stage in Thailand as travelers seek familiar places, memories, and traditions that offer emotional comfort. New industry insights show this trend isn’t a fleeting fad but a lasting shift that shapes travel in 2025 across the Asia-Pacific, reviving historic districts, family-run eateries, traditional festivals, and retro getaways that feel like home in a fast-changing world.

The travel industry is at a turning point. After pandemic disruptions and a rapid digital shift, many people crave meaningful experiences that foster belonging and a sense of place. A 2025 study by a leading hospitality group found that more than half of traveling families are recalibrating to revisit destinations from their own childhoods to share memories with the next generation. Complementary surveys by industry researchers show a strong appetite for nostalgia-driven outdoor getaways, such as family camping trips and road excursions, as an antidote to digital fatigue.

A tourism surge is reshaping Luang Prabang, Laos’ ancient capital, into an economic bright spot and prompting questions about whether the rest of Laos can follow its lead or if structural hurdles will keep broader progress ahead. The city’s experience offers lessons not only for Laos but also for neighboring Thailand, where the impact of tourism on development is a hot topic.

In a relatively short period, Luang Prabang has moved from a quiet travel hub to a thriving destination. In 2012, Sisavangvong Road saw few foreign visitors and limited tourist services. By 2025, the city reported a dramatic turnaround. Official data show a year-on-year jump in arrivals of more than 160 percent as of April 2025, and travel guides have crowned Luang Prabang as a top Asian destination for the year. Vibrant markets, bustling bars, and international visitors have transformed streets that once felt quiet into dynamic tourism zones.

An unprecedented surge in tourism is transforming Luang Prabang, Laos’ ancient capital, into an economic bright spot and prompting experts to ask: can the rest of the country follow its path to prosperity, or will deep structural challenges hold back broader progress? The city’s experience offers lessons not only for Laos but also for neighboring countries like Thailand, where tourism’s impact on development is increasingly debated.

In just a few years, Luang Prabang has witnessed an economic renaissance. As recently as 2012, its central Sisavangvong Road saw only a smattering of foreign backpackers and tourist amenities were sparse. Fast forward to 2025, and the picture has changed dramatically. According to official figures, the city saw a stunning 162% increase in visitors year over year as of April 2025, with the Lonely Planet crowning it Asia’s top travel destination for 2025 (DW). Handicraft markets now line vibrant alleyways, quirky bars spill onto once-quiet streets, and international travelers fill hotels and restaurants that now serve global clientele.

A growing trend called bakery tourism is turning flaky pastries into powerful travel experiences. Rather than chasing Michelin stars, pastry lovers pursue the perfect croissant and share their finds online, turning small bakeries into must-visit destinations. This global wave is reshaping how people think about food travel and offers timely insights for Thailand, where café culture is thriving and social media shapes travel choices.

Bakery tourism sits within culinary travel, where enthusiasts seek authentic bakery experiences plus a sense of place. In a BBC feature, UK fans describe trading pubs for pastry meetups, driving cross-country to discover rare bakes, and planning trips around famed bakeries. The phenomenon is broad: in the UK, almost one in five small bakeries has opened since 2020, underscoring a surge in artisanal baking. Social media amplifies this movement, with Instagram and TikTok turning visually striking pastries into shareable experiences and drawing foot traffic to regional shops. In Thailand, the bakery scene is expanding rapidly as croissants become a local icon, with guided lists and reviews highlighting top spots.

In a development reshaping the Southeast Asian tourism landscape, Malaysia has claimed the top spot as the region’s premier tourism destination, surpassing Thailand for the first time in years, according to official 2024 statistics published yesterday by multiple tourism boards (e.vnexpress.net). Malaysia welcomed an impressive 9.57 million international arrivals so far this year, edging out Thailand at 9.55 million. The new figures highlight shifting regional dynamics and bring pressing questions for Thai tourism’s future.

A new wave of “bakery tourism” is sweeping across the world as travelers transform flaky pastries and artisan breads into sought-after cultural experiences. This movement isn’t fueled by Michelin stars, but by the lure of the perfect croissant. According to recent reporting by the BBC, bakery enthusiasts—or “pastry pilgrims”—now travel long distances, both locally and internationally, to sample artisanal baked goods, share the experience online, and support local bakeries. The trend’s surging popularity raises intriguing questions for Thailand, where café and bakery culture is blossoming and social media is reshaping how Thais think about travel and food.