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#SustainableTourism

Articles tagged with "SustainableTourism" - explore health, wellness, and travel insights.

53 articles
8 min read

Climate Crisis Forces Global Tourism Revolution: How Thailand Can Lead the Cool Destination Movement

news tourism

A dramatic shift in global travel patterns is reshaping the tourism industry as extreme heat and wildfires drive millions of travelers to seek cooler, quieter destinations during traditionally peak summer months. This “coolcation” movement represents more than a temporary trend—it signals a fundamental transformation in how climate change is altering tourist behavior and destination competitiveness worldwide, creating unprecedented opportunities for Thailand to diversify its tourism strategy while addressing climate adaptation challenges.

#Coolcations #ThailandTourism #ClimateAdaptation +7 more
11 min read

Coolcations surge again as travellers seek cooler, quieter trips — what this means for Thailand

news tourism

Tourists are choosing cooler and quieter trips this year. This trend has grown in response to extreme heat and wildfires in popular summer destinations. The shift changes global travel patterns and affects tourism-dependent economies. (CNBC) (CNBC article)

The rise of “coolcations” means people choose temperate climates. They book trips outside peak summer months. They prefer higher latitudes, mountains and lakes. Travel advisors report that climate fears drive many bookings. (CNBC; Virtuoso) (CNBC article) (Virtuoso press release)

#Coolcations #ThailandTourism #ClimateAdaptation +7 more
7 min read

Portugal's Village Revival Revolution: A Blueprint for Thailand's Rural Tourism Renaissance

news tourism

Portugal’s remarkable transformation of abandoned rural villages into thriving hospitality destinations offers compelling lessons for Thailand’s efforts to revitalize declining rural communities while creating sustainable tourism opportunities that preserve cultural heritage and support local economies. The Portuguese model demonstrates how thoughtful restoration projects can breathe new life into forgotten places while respecting architectural traditions and community values.

This innovative approach carries profound relevance for Thailand, where rural-to-urban migration has left many traditional villages struggling with population decline, economic stagnation, and cultural erosion. By adapting Portugal’s village hotel concept to Thai contexts, the kingdom could develop unique tourism products that celebrate its rich rural heritage while creating meaningful economic opportunities for communities throughout the country.

#ThailandTourism #RuralRevitalization #CommunityBasedTourism +7 more
9 min read

Portugal’s village-hotel revival shows Thailand a path to revive empty rural towns

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Portugal has turned ruined villages into working hotels that revive local life and culture. (Forbes)
The trend mirrors Italy’s albergo diffuso model and offers lessons for Thailand. (Forbes)

The Portuguese model restores old houses into guest rooms. (Forbes)
The model keeps buildings in their original places. (Wikipedia)

The projects add small services like bakeries and restaurants. (Forbes)
They keep local crafts and food at the centre of the guest experience. (Forbes)

#ThailandTourism #RuralRevitalization #CommunityBasedTourism +7 more
6 min read

Heatwaves Push Italians from Beaches to Mountains — What Thailand Can Learn

news tourism

Italians are changing their holiday habits this summer.
They are trading long beach stays for cooler mountain breaks.

This shift matters for tourism planners in Thailand.
Thailand relies on beach tourism for jobs and revenue.

The pattern began after intense heatwaves hit Europe this year.
Tourists sought cooler air higher in the Alps and Dolomites (Euronews).

Many coastal businesses reported steep visitor drops in June and July.
Some areas saw visitor numbers fall by as much as 25 percent (Euronews).

#tourism #heatwaves #Italy +5 more
9 min read

Last-chance tourism’s ethical test: How “see-it-before-it’s-gone” travel can help — or harm — places Thailand depends on

news tourism

As climate change erases glaciers, bleaches reefs and reshapes coastlines, a growing wave of travellers are chasing the experience of seeing vanishing wonders. New analysis by legal and social scientists argues that emotion-driven “last-chance” travel can be harnessed for conservation if managed carefully, but left unchecked it risks accelerating damage to the very sites visitors want to mourn and protect (An ethical guide to last-chance tourism). The debate matters to Thailand because the nation’s reefs, islands and coastal communities face the same pressures from overtourism and warming seas that are destroying destinations worldwide (An ethical guide to last-chance tourism).

#LastChanceTourism #ClimateChange #Thailand +5 more
8 min read

Thailand's Tourism Dilemma: When "Last Goodbye" Travel Becomes a Conservation Crossroads

news tourism

Can emotion-driven tourism save endangered places, or does it hasten their destruction? For Thailand’s threatened reefs and islands, the answer depends on choices made today.

The scene unfolds daily across Thailand’s marine parks: divers descend through crystal waters toward bleached coral gardens, their cameras capturing what marine biologists warn may be final glimpses of ecosystems millennia in the making. Above the surface, longtail boats ferry snorkelers to sites where rising sea temperatures have transformed vibrant reef cities into ghostly underwater monuments.

#LastChanceTourism #Thailand #SustainableTourism +5 more
7 min read

Cheap Maldives-like escapes in Indonesia exist — but getting there is the hard part

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Ora Beach on Seram Island offers turquoise lagoons, dramatic cliffs and near-empty sands that feel like a Maldives getaway for a fraction of the price, yet travel to such places remains slow, costly and logistically tricky — a problem that is keeping many visitors clustered in Bali while smaller islands plead for better connections and investment. ( Want a cheap Maldives-like holiday in Indonesia? The problem is getting there — SCMP )

#Indonesia #tourism #travel +7 more
10 min read

France's Strategic Approach to Overtourism Offers Blueprint for Thailand's Sustainable Growth

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How the world’s most-visited country avoids resident backlash while breaking tourism records

While Spanish cities erupted in anti-tourist protests and Italian destinations buckled under visitor pressure in 2024, France quietly welcomed a record-breaking 100 million international visitors without triggering widespread social unrest. This remarkable achievement offers crucial insights for Thailand’s tourism industry as the kingdom seeks to balance economic growth with community well-being and environmental protection.

The French Formula: Dispersion, Domestic Travel, and Smart Management

France’s success stems from a carefully orchestrated strategy that prevents tourist saturation from reaching what researchers call the social “tipping point” — the moment when local tolerance collapses into active resistance. According to tourism analysts at Euronews and industry data from Atout France, this approach has three pillars that Thailand can adapt to its own unique context.

#France #overtourism #tourismpolicy +3 more
8 min read

Indonesia's Paradise Islands: Where Affordable Luxury Meets Transportation Challenges

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Why spectacular beaches remain out of reach for most travelers — and what Thailand can learn

Crystal-clear lagoons stretch toward dramatic limestone cliffs at Ora Beach on Seram Island, creating postcard-perfect scenes that rival the Maldives at a fraction of the cost. Yet this Indonesian paradise, like countless similar destinations across the archipelago, remains largely unknown to international travelers due to a fundamental challenge: getting there requires multiple time-consuming transfers that can transform a relaxing beach holiday into a logistical marathon.

#Indonesia #tourism #travel +7 more
7 min read

Why France’s quiet fix for overtourism is working — lessons for Thailand

news tourism

France’s tourism numbers rebounded to new highs in 2024 without sparking the large-scale resident protests seen in parts of Spain and Italy, and researchers say a mix of dispersion, domestic travel and targeted management has kept pressure below a social “tipping point.” The findings are important for destinations wrestling with crowding because they show how policy, marketing and infrastructure can reduce hotspots even while overall visitor numbers rise. ( Euronews: Why France’s strategy is working in the age of overtourism )

#France #overtourism #tourismpolicy +3 more
5 min read

Copenhagen’s Creative CopenPay Initiative Shifts the Narrative on Overtourism

news tourism

As European cities grapple with the mounting challenges of overtourism, Copenhagen is setting a bold new example—one that may resonate far beyond Denmark. While this summer has seen escalating protests against tourist-driven overcrowding in Barcelona, Genoa, Lisbon, the Canary Islands, and even outrage in Venice at celebrity spectacles, Copenhagen’s “CopenPay” pilot is offering an alternative. Instead of the familiar dichotomy between economic gain and local misery, the Danish capital is inviting visitors to help the city thrive—and rewarding them for their efforts. It’s a model that experts suggest could inspire new approaches for Thai destinations struggling with similar issues ().

#sustainabletourism #CopenPay #Denmark +5 more
7 min read

Malaysia Emerges as Asia’s Hidden Gem: Surge in Tourism Highlights Untapped Wonders

news asia

Malaysia is rapidly stepping out of the shadows as South-East Asia’s most underappreciated travel destination, buoyed by fresh research and a remarkable spike in international visitors. Long overshadowed by its bustling neighbors Thailand and Indonesia, Malaysia’s natural beauty, vibrant multicultural cities, and eco-tourism adventure are now drawing increasing attention—with experts urging Thai travelers and industry stakeholders to take note before the tourism rush turns the nation’s tranquil charms mainstream.

Positioned at the heart of ASEAN, Malaysia boasts lush rainforests, dazzling metropolises, and some of the region’s most pristine coastlines. Yet it is often regarded as merely a stopover on long-haul routes, especially in comparison to Thailand’s famed beaches or Indonesia’s Bali. Recent research and the latest field reports suggest this perception is swiftly changing. Following the resumption of direct British Airways flights from London to Kuala Lumpur and a 20% jump in tourist arrivals in the first months of 2025 compared to 2024, Malaysia is on the brink of a tourism renaissance (The Telegraph).

#MalaysiaTourism #TravelTrends #EcoTourism +5 more
7 min read

Malaysia's Tourism Revolution: What Thailand Can Learn From Its Neighbor's Strategic Rise

news asia

Malaysia is orchestrating one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive tourism transformations, evolving from a frequently overlooked regional stopover into a sophisticated destination that rivals Thailand’s traditional dominance in attracting international visitors. This strategic emergence offers both competitive challenges and collaborative opportunities for Thailand’s tourism sector, as Malaysia’s success demonstrates how thoughtful destination development, cultural authenticity, and sustainable practices can create compelling alternatives for travelers seeking experiences beyond overtouristed hotspots. For Thai tourism stakeholders, understanding Malaysia’s rise provides crucial insights into evolving traveler preferences and regional competition dynamics that will shape Southeast Asian tourism for decades.

#MalaysiaTourism #TravelTrends #EcoTourism +5 more
6 min read

Four Future Scenarios: How a Shifting World Could Redefine Travel and Tourism

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Tourism and travel are rebounding after the seismic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, but researchers warn that new global realities could reshape how Thais and travelers worldwide experience the world—and even how Thais welcome guests to the Kingdom. A recent white paper, jointly released by the World Economic Forum and Kearney, models four dramatically different scenarios for the future of tourism, examining how rising geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, urgent sustainability needs, and rapid digitalization could change the sector by 2030. For a tourism-dependent country such as Thailand, understanding these scenarios is essential for preparing for both risks and opportunities ahead (WEF/Kearney Report).

#TourismTrends #Travel2025 #SustainableTourism +6 more
7 min read

Strategic Tourism Scenarios: World Economic Forum Analysis Reveals Four Transformative Pathways for Thailand's Industry Evolution

news tourism

The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with leading strategic consulting firm Kearney, has released comprehensive scenario analysis modeling four distinct possibilities for global tourism transformation by 2030, providing crucial strategic intelligence for Thailand’s tourism industry as the Kingdom navigates post-pandemic recovery while positioning for long-term competitiveness within rapidly evolving international travel markets. This authoritative research examines how converging forces including geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, sustainability imperatives, and technological disruption could fundamentally reshape tourism patterns, visitor expectations, and destination competitiveness in ways that demand immediate strategic adaptation by Thailand’s tourism sector leadership. The analysis proves particularly vital for a tourism-dependent economy like Thailand, where international visitor spending traditionally supports millions of jobs and contributes significantly to national economic development, making understanding future scenarios essential for effective policy development and industry investment decisions.

#TourismTrends #Travel2025 #SustainableTourism +6 more
5 min read

Local Tourism Weeks Gain Momentum as Staycation Trend Offers Affordable, Enriching Alternatives

news tourism

As travel restrictions, economic uncertainty, and a renewed interest in local heritage reshape travel habits worldwide, research and recent initiatives like the Logan County Tourism Week in Ohio underscore a growing trend: the local staycation. Events that highlight accessible attractions, free or low-cost activities, and strong community engagement are proving not only to offer residents affordable alternatives to expensive holidays but also help revive local economies and deepen civic pride.

#localtourism #staycation #thailandtourism +4 more
4 min read

Maui’s Tourism Rebound Post-Wildfire Slow but Promising: Lessons for Thailand’s Disaster-Impacted Attractions

news tourism

Nearly two years after catastrophic wildfires devastated significant portions of West Maui and Upcountry, the island’s tourism industry is charting a slow but steady comeback. Recent figures released by the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism indicate a complex recovery: while visitor arrivals and spending figures are climbing, they remain distinctly below pre-disaster levels. This nuanced recovery, marked by resilient local efforts and strategic marketing, offers timely insights for Thailand’s tourism-dependent provinces still reeling from natural disasters, including the 2022 floods in Ubon Ratchathani and recurring wildfire threats in the North.

#TourismRecovery #Wildfires #Maui +6 more
4 min read

Thailand's Marine Tourism Reckoning: Lessons from Mexico's Wildlife Protection Failures

news tourism

Across the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, where millions of international visitors seek encounters with whale sharks, dolphins, and pristine coral reefs, disturbing research from Mexico reveals how marine tourism regulations often fail to protect vulnerable wildlife despite official protections. These findings carry profound implications for Thailand’s tourism industry, which generates over $60 billion annually while potentially threatening the very marine ecosystems that attract visitors worldwide.

#MarineTourism #Thailand #WildlifeProtection +7 more
7 min read

Despite Regulations, Marine Tourism in Mexico Still Hurts Wildlife, Research Shows

news tourism

A new wave of research has cast a sobering light on the enduring threat posed by marine tourism to Mexico’s iconic ocean wildlife, despite the existence of regulations meant to protect it. The latest scientific findings reveal that popular activities such as whale watching and swimming with whale sharks, long seen as pillars of sustainable travel, are falling short of safeguarding vulnerable species in Mexico’s treasured marine sanctuaries. These results hold key lessons for coastal nations like Thailand, where marine tourism and conservation must coexist amid growing visitor numbers.

#MarineTourism #WildlifeConservation #SustainableTourism +7 more
6 min read

Mexican Marine Sanctuaries Reveal Hidden Tourism Costs: Lessons for Thailand's Coral Reef Protection

news tourism

In the crystalline waters of Mexico’s Bahía de Banderas, where Pacific swells carry humpback whales on ancient migration routes to warmer birthing grounds, a troubling reality unfolds beneath the surface of what appears to be responsible eco-tourism. Despite comprehensive regulations designed to protect marine wildlife during tourist encounters, nearly nine out of every ten whale-watching excursions violate safety protocols that separate vulnerable animals from eager visitors seeking once-in-a-lifetime photographs and emotional connections with nature. This systematic breakdown of conservation rules—documented through four years of scientific observation—reveals critical lessons for Thailand’s marine tourism industry as coral reefs, sea turtle populations, and diverse marine ecosystems face similar pressures from growing numbers of international and domestic tourists.

#MarineTourism #WildlifeConservation #SustainableTourism +7 more
5 min read

American Travelers Embrace Europe's Hidden Gems: A Strategic Shift Toward Authentic Local Experiences

news tourism

American tourists demonstrate a remarkable strategic pivot in their European travel preferences for summer 2025, deliberately avoiding overcrowded iconic destinations in favor of authentically European locations cherished by local populations rather than international tourist masses. This significant trend shift, documented through comprehensive travel platform data analysis, reflects evolving post-pandemic travel priorities emphasizing cultural immersion, superior value propositions, and meaningful local engagement that offers valuable insights for Thai travelers planning their own European adventures.

#TourismTrends #EuropeTravel #USTravelers +5 more
5 min read

Djerba’s Ancient Treasures Threatened as Tourism, Neglect, and Climate Change Converge

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The popular Tunisian island of Djerba, steeped in centuries-old traditions and religious heritage, is facing an unprecedented crisis as its unique cultural legacy comes under assault from mass tourism, institutional neglect, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. This convergence of pressures threatens not just the island’s architectural treasures, but the very continuity of its traditional ways of life—raising alarms for heritage preservationists and tourism-dependent communities across North Africa and beyond.

#HeritagePreservation #SustainableTourism #ClimateChange +7 more
7 min read

Heritage Under Siege: Djerba's Ancient Treasures Face Triple Threat from Tourism, Neglect, and Climate Crisis

news tourism

Tunisia’s culturally rich island of Djerba confronts an unprecedented convergence of existential challenges as mass tourism pressures, institutional neglect, and accelerating climate change impacts combine to threaten one of the Mediterranean’s most significant multicultural heritage sites. This crisis encompasses not merely architectural preservation concerns but the fundamental survival of centuries-old traditional ways of life, creating urgent implications for heritage conservation efforts throughout Southeast Asia and beyond, including Thailand’s own vulnerable cultural landscapes.

#HeritagePreservation #SustainableTourism #ClimateChange +7 more