#Tourism

Bali, already world-renowned for its scenic beauty and spiritual richness, has emerged as Southeast Asia’s vibrant new crucible for creative industries, propelled by local talent, affordable production costs, and a strategic location that fosters cross-border commerce in the region. The shift, documented in recent reporting and underscored by major international conferences scheduled throughout 2025, signals not only an evolution in Bali’s identity but portends significant implications for other Southeast Asian economies—including Thailand—as the region looks beyond tourism for sustainable, innovation-driven growth.

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).

A new trends report by restaurant technology provider Toast has reignited the debate around the U.S.’s rapidly evolving tipping culture, revealing sizable differences in generosity depending on the state and highlighting growing public fatigue about how gratuities are handled nationwide (Yahoo News). The findings, published in June 2025, draw attention to shifting attitudes toward tipping—offering valuable insights not only for American diners and restaurateurs, but also for observers in Thailand as global service norms take on new forms.

A seasoned traveler’s perspective reveals that across decades of change, three cities—Siem Reap in Cambodia, Ipoh in Malaysia, and Hanoi in Vietnam—have undergone remarkable transformations, evolving into vibrant and welcoming hubs that balance rapid development with cultural preservation. According to a recent feature by a long-time observer of the region, these cities have set themselves apart by improving infrastructure, heritage conservation, and overall visitor experience, distinguishing themselves in the ever-competitive Southeast Asian tourism landscape (Business Insider).

A recent travel report from a seasoned Southeast Asia explorer has spotlighted profound improvements in three standout cities—Siem Reap, Ipoh, and Hanoi—underscoring a regional trend of urban revival and sustainable tourism. The findings, chronicled by a writer who has chronicled regional shifts for nearly 30 years, are significant for both the tourism sector and local policymakers eyeing a post-pandemic recovery and future-friendly city development (Business Insider).

The transformation of these Southeast Asian cities matters to Thai readers and regional stakeholders for several reasons. Thailand’s own journey as a tourism powerhouse is reflected in the successes and stumbles of its neighbors—a comparative lens that can help both government and industry learn from best practices. Revitalizing city centers, safeguarding heritage, and stewarding sustainable growth are challenges faced right across the region. As domestic and outbound travel resumes with vigor, these stories also provide inspiration and caution for Thai cities seeking to balance authenticity, livability, and profitability.

Across South-east Asia, the month of June is evolving into a vibrant celebration of wellness, with resorts rolling out innovative programmes to mark Global Wellness Day (June 14) and International Yoga Day (June 21). From Thailand’s serene beaches and atmospheric sky bars to Vietnam’s expansive coastal retreats, the region’s hospitality sector is using June to redefine traveller health, highlighting the rise of wellness tourism as a major trend in 2025 (TTG Asia).

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).

Three cities in Southeast Asia—Siem Reap in Cambodia, Ipoh in Malaysia, and Hanoi in Vietnam—have recently emerged as beacons of urban transformation, according to a traveler and correspondent with three decades of firsthand observation across the region. Their trajectory showcases how regional destinations can thrive and improve under carefully managed growth, balancing heritage preservation with dynamic modernization. This story holds valuable lessons for Thailand as it seeks sustainable pathways to develop and promote its own cities on the world tourism map (Business Insider).

A renewed surge in measles cases worldwide has prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a heightened health advisory, urging travelers to ensure measles vaccination before international travel. The advisory, published at the end of May, underscores an “ongoing risk” that leaves individuals vulnerable to infection in airports, train stations, on public transport such as airplanes and trains, and at crowded tourist attractions, highlighting a wake-up call for travelers everywhere, including those from Thailand.

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.

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.

As international tourism rebounds to near-historic highs in 2024, destinations across the globe, including Thailand, are grappling with the complex challenge of overtourism. Recent insights published by Deutsche Welle reveal that around 1.5 billion people travelled for leisure last year, marking it as the second busiest year for global tourism ever recorded, surpassed only by 2019 (DW). This surge has reignited urgent debates about the sustainability of tourism, with mounting evidence that unchecked visitor volumes can damage local environments, disrupt daily life, and strain vital infrastructures.

As the world prepares for another bustling summer travel season, a new report from the Mastercard Economics Institute reveals a striking trend: more than half of the top 15 fastest-growing travel destinations are in Asia, with Japanese cities leading the global surge in interest (CNBC). For Thai travelers, as well as the country’s tourism industry, these findings highlight changing dynamics that will influence how—and where—Thais travel, as well as the potential for attracting more regional visitors to Thailand itself.

A growing body of research shows that spending time at the beach isn’t just a holiday indulgence—it can be a powerful way to improve mental health and overall well-being, often referred to as “sea therapy.” The latest studies reinforce what many Thais have long sensed: proximity to blue spaces, including beaches, rivers, and lakes, can lift mood, reduce stress, and foster a sense of community and connection, making “beach days” more than a leisure activity but a practical mental health intervention.

Southwest Airlines’ recent decision to end its iconic “bags fly free” policy in favor of $35 and $45 fees for checked bags has sparked controversy, demonstrating the high cost a brand can incur by ignoring fundamental consumer psychology, according to new analysis from Forbes. The abrupt policy shift, effective Wednesday, is anticipated to raise revenue by $1–1.5 billion but may cost the airline as much as $1.8 billion in lost market share, raising doubts about the long-term wisdom of the move (Forbes).

A dazzling 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic—hailed as one of the most beautiful found in Israel—was recently unveiled for public viewing in the Western Negev Desert, marking an extraordinary revival of ancient heritage for scholars and travelers alike. This remarkable work of early Christian art, known as the Be’er Shema (Birsama) mosaic, traces its origins back to 324–638 CE and now takes pride of place at the Merhavim Regional Council headquarters after decades of meticulous conservation efforts (ArchaeologyMag.com).

Archaeologists in Egypt have revealed the discovery of three ancient tombs in Luxor, believed to belong to distinguished statesmen from the New Kingdom era (1550–1070 BCE), a period acclaimed for its monumental architecture and flourishing Egyptian civilization. Announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, these findings shed striking new light on both the social hierarchy and religious customs of the time, offering the world a glimpse into the lives of ancient Egypt’s upper echelons.

A remarkable discovery in a secluded Mexican cave is rewriting history: what initially looked like modern garbage has turned out to be a collection of sacred, 500-year-old artifacts used in fertility rituals, according to a recent report by Ynetnews (ynetnews.com). This find offers new insights into the spiritual life and ceremonial practices of pre-Hispanic cultures, reverberating far beyond its mountainous origins for readers around the globe, including Thailand.

In September 2023, a professional cave mapper and a local guide ventured deep into Tlayócoc—known as “Badger Cave” in the Nahuatl language—set high in the rugged terrain of Guerrero state, Mexico, at an elevation of about 2,380 meters. This remote cave, previously untouched for approximately five centuries, was thought to contain nothing more than water and bat guano. What awaited the explorers, however, altered their understanding of the past: 14 mysterious objects hidden under a flood-prone passageway, including shell bracelets, an ornate sea snail shell, engraved stone discs, and charred wood.

A new framework released in early May by a leading fintech group product manager is making waves throughout the global business and technology communities, urging organizations to reconsider the automatic use of large language models (LLMs) for every artificial intelligence (AI) application. The article, recently published by VentureBeat, cautions that LLMs—despite their popularity—are not always the best fit for all customer needs and often prove costly and imprecise compared to other machine learning (ML) or rules-based solutions (VentureBeat).