#Tourism

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).

June has become a regional celebration of health, with Southeast Asian resorts launching programs for Global Wellness Day and International Yoga Day. From Thailand’s tranquil beaches and skyline bars to Vietnam’s expansive coastlines, hoteliers are redefining travel around mind and body wellness. Data from regional hospitality insights show wellness tourism rising as a key trend in 2025.

For Thai readers, this movement resonates beyond tourism. Thailand is increasingly recognized as a wellness destination, supported by research indicating rapid market growth and substantial revenue. The latest figures position Thailand among the world’s leaders in wellness expansion, underscoring how health-focused travel enhances both personal well-being and the country’s economy.

A seasoned Southeast Asia observer highlights how Siem Reap, Ipoh, and Hanoi are transforming their urban landscapes through sustainable tourism, heritage protection, and smart city initiatives. The report underscores a regional revival that matters for Thailand as it rebuilds post-pandemic tourism and renews city planning for long-term livability.

For Thai readers and policymakers, these developments offer a clear reference point. Thailand’s own tourism story—balancing growth with authenticity and local welfare—can learn from neighbors about protecting heritage, upgrading infrastructure, and distributing visitor demand more evenly across cities. As travel resumes, the region’s experiences provide practical guidance and cautionary tales for keeping cities vibrant without sacrificing culture or community life.

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).

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).

Urban transformation across Southeast Asia is reshaping how cities balance heritage with modern growth. A seasoned traveler and regional analyst highlights three standout examples—Siem Reap, Ipoh, and Hanoi—that now serve as models for sustainable development. These cities show how targeted planning and mindful regulation can boost tourism while protecting local character. The lessons speak to Thailand’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible growth and elevate its cities on the world stage.

A British tourist’s death in Bangkok has drawn global attention to the dangers of drug use while traveling, especially in popular Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand. The incident, reported by the BBC on May 27, 2025, involved a mother’s plea for vigilance after her daughter was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room from a toxic combination of substances misidentified as cocaine. Thai toxicology later revealed a mix including heroin, codeine, diazepam, and trazodone. As international travel to Thailand rebounds, the case underscores the need for heightened awareness among visitors and residents alike.

A California case has drawn international attention after a physician claimed that eating an extremely spicy Thai dish caused lasting harm. The lawsuit, filed by a neurologist from San Jose, centers on a dish known as Dragon Balls, which features Thai bird’s eye chilies at a Los Gatos restaurant. The plaintiff asserts severe burns and lasting health effects and seeks compensation for medical costs, distress, and diminished enjoyment of life.

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.

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.

A global rise in measles cases has prompted health authorities to issue renewed warnings for travelers. The advisory stresses an ongoing risk of infection in airports, transit hubs, and crowded tourist sites, including for readers in Thailand. The reminder comes as countries report rising measles activity and travel-related exposures.

Data from the United States shows more than 1,000 measles cases confirmed in 2025, with the majority among individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Health officials say a significant portion of cases have been linked to international travel, underscoring the importance of vaccination before any trip. Transmission remains a concern in transit settings due to the virus’s high contagiousness.

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.

Tourism is bouncing back, with 2024 marking another peak year for international travel. But the surge brings a familiar challenge: overtourism. Data cited by Deutsche Welle indicate about 1.5 billion people traveled for leisure last year, making it the second-busiest year on record after 2019. This rapid rebound raises urgent questions about sustainability, local wellbeing, and the capacity of communities to absorb large visitor numbers.

Overtourism describes a level of visitation that harms residents’ daily life or degrades the visitor experience. In Europe and Asia alike, popular destinations face crowded streets, strained services, and environmental stress. For Thailand, famous spots such as Phuket, Bangkok, and the Similan Islands embody both the economic benefits of tourism and its potential downsides when volumes rise unchecked.

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.

A shift in Southeast Asia’s tourism landscape has Malaysia overtaking Thailand as the region’s top destination for international visitors in 2024. Official statistics show Malaysia drawing 9.57 million arrivals so far this year, just ahead of Thailand’s 9.55 million. The numbers signal changing traveler preferences and intensify questions about Thailand’s competitiveness and recovery strategy post-pandemic.

For years, Thailand has been a global magnet for culture, cuisine, and hospitality, with destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok drawing millions. Tourism has long supported a large share of Thai GDP and provided numerous jobs. The new regional ranking highlights the need to adapt to evolving traveler needs and to accelerate reforms that keep Thailand competitive.

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 new Mastercard Economics Institute analysis shows Asia-led momentum in summer travel, with more than half of the top 15 fastest-growing destinations in Asia. Tokyo and Osaka lead the surge, signaling Japan’s continued appeal for travelers worldwide. Other Asian hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, and Singapore remain strong, with Vietnam’s Nha Trang and Japan’s Fukuoka rising notably. For Thai readers, these shifts signal evolving travel patterns and opportunities to attract regional visitors to Thailand.

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.

Beach days are more than leisure. Growing evidence suggests time by the coast can lift mood, cut stress, and support overall well-being. This concept, often called sea therapy or blue health, is gaining attention as researchers highlight the benefits of blue spaces—coastlines, rivers, and lakes—for mental health.

Thailand sits at the heart of this conversation. With more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline, renowned resorts, and vibrant coastal communities, the sea is part of everyday life from Phuket sunsets to Pattaya weekend getaways. In a post-pandemic world, understanding how beach time supports mental health could help communities across the country make the most of Thailand’s coastal treasures.

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).