8 Jul 2025
“What Next for Thai Tourism? Life After 65” Sign up for Thailand’s first “Politically Incorrect” webinar
I am proud to launch a series of “Politically Incorrect” webinars on the future of Asia-Pacific tourism, starting with Thailand.. What exactly is a “Politically Incorrect” webinar? One that goes beyond the traditional comfort zones, steers clear of mumbo-jumbo sloganeering, and promotes an honest, intellectually-stimulating, respectful and productive discussion of issues that matter. Nothing, repeat […]
more…22 Jan 2025
Launch Webinar: Thailand – The World’s First “Alliance of Civilisations” Destination
Bangkok – Does anyone know which country was the fastest growing source of visitor arrivals to Thailand in 2024? Saudi Arabia… Yes, that’s right.. Saudi Arabia!! The total of 228,032 visitors was a whopping 660% increase over ju
more…8 Oct 2024
A Compendium of Unmatched Lectures on Thailand: The Greatest Story in Global Tourism HiSTORY
I call Thailand “The Greatest Story in Global Tourism HiSTORY”. For many good reasons. Privileged to have covered this dynamic sector since 1981, I have seen it grow from its early formative days to the boom era of mass-tourism. Thail
more…1 Feb 2022
35 Years On: How Visit Thailand Year 1987 Revolutionised Global Tourism
The year 2022 marks the 35th anniversary of Visit Thailand Year 1987, the record-breaking marketing extravaganza which revolutionised the Thai and global tourism industry. What lessons can be learned from its successes and failures? How can it he
more…2 Oct 2021
Inaugural Global Lecture: “25 Women Who Put Thai Tourism on the Global Map”
As Thailand is reopening to tourism, a look back may help us look ahead more clearly. I am proud to be the first to launch this “Power of History” lecture series. All will be FREE but BY INVITATION ONLY.
more…1 Jul 2021
Inaugural “Power of History” Lecture: The Rise and Fall of PATA
Click here to register Click here to register The same lecture can be given privately at a more convenient time for those interested. For further inquiries and info, please email: travelimpact2@gmail.com
more…10 Jan 2020
Unmatched Lectures on Thailand: The Greatest Story in Global Tourism HiSTORY
Bangkok – This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International, the two founding pillars of what is now the kingdom’s largest service economy sector and job-creator. This meteoric ri
more…15 Nov 2019
How 1987 Visit Thailand Year Revolutionised Global Travel & Tourism
One of the world’s greatest tourism marketing extravaganzas, 1987 Visit Thailand Year changed the face of global Travel & Tourism. While establishing Thailand’s marketing genius, it also exposed the kingdom’s management defi
more…18 Mar 2019
June 14, 2019: First Forum on The Greatest Story in Global Tourism HiSTORY
Bangkok – At 0900 hrs on March 18, exactly 59 years ago, what was then known as the Tourist Organisation of Thailand opened for business. Its duty, in the words of Gen Chalermchai Charuvastr, its first Director-General, was to promote visitor a
more…11 Apr 2018
FREE DOWNLOAD: The Next Big Thing – Thailand Outbound Travel Report 2018
Bangkok — Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil has made travel journalism history yet again by publishing the first report on the surging Thai outbound travel industry. The report is being made available FREE, thanks to sup
more…17 Jul 2017
FREE DOWNLOAD: The Olive Tree – How Travel & Tourism can Contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Olive Tree is the first and only publication designed to help Travel & Tourism become a more committed part of the solution in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Free download. Click on any of the images below. ++++++++++ The
more…1 Dec 2016
Call for Entries: The First ASEAN Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame
By Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire Bangkok – Today marks the launch of the ASEAN Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame (ATTHoF), the first global website to honour the achievements of the many industry veterans and stalwarts
more…3 Jul 2025
Ex-Thai Foreign Minister openly blasts “Jewish money” for subverting U.S. democracy
Bangkok — Former Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has blasted the role of the “Jewish lobby” and “Jewish money” as a “blatant illustration” of how democracy is being subverted in the United States, and
more…1 Jul 2025
Can Asians Think? Yes, they can, but they don’t, and won’t
I have been following the lectures and writings of eminent Singaporean political scientist Prof Kishore Mahbubani ever since reading his first book, “Can Asians Think?” in 1999. My takeaway answer then was: Yes, they can, but they don
more…30 Jun 2025
PATA forecast confirms geopolitics poses top risk and threat to Travel & Tourism
Bangkok – Geopolitical turbulence is now indisputably the leading risk and threat facing Travel & Tourism, according to visitor arrivals forecasts presented by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Statistical data presented at a
more…23 Jun 2025
The Most Catastrophic Leadership Failure in Travel & Tourism History
Exactly 30 years ago this November, the International Hotel Association convened for its annual convention in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was truly a Golden Age. Peace talks were under way to end centuries of conflicts in the Holy Land. Hope and optimis
more…12 Jun 2025
Until June 15: Thai OTOP Expo offers world class community products at bargain prices
Bangkok — More than 2,000 small and medium sized enterprises selling the best of Thai community-based cultural and culinary products are exhibiting at the Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition and Convention Center, the biggest such turnout a
more…5 Jun 2025
SDGs 2030 targets at risk of failure: UN chief’s report
Bangkok – Today, 05 June 2025, World Environment Day, is being marked with multiple events and activities focussing on global warming. At a broader level, however, the sustainability agenda is not looking good. With only five years left bef
more…3 Jun 2025
Thailand now gripped by “Opal Euphoria”
Bangkok — Beleaguered Thailand received a much-needed Soft Power steroid boost with the crowning of Suchata (Opal) Chuangsri as Miss World 2025. The 22-year-old, Phuket-born student of international relations clearly impressed with a powerf
more…30 May 2025
In Memoriam: Life and Times of the late Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Dharmnoon Prachuabmoh
Bangkok – The 22 May 2025 passing of former Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Dharmnoon Prachuabmoh should give the Thai tourism industry a moment to revisit and reflect on one of the most crucial eras of its history — one from w
more…24 May 2025
“Friend to many and enemy to none” – Thailand celebrates 150 years of Peacebuilding Diplomacy
Bangkok – In an era of interminable tumult and turmoil, the tourism destinations which survive will be those which can live at peace with themselves, with their neighbours and the world at large. This brilliant speech by the Minister of For
more…20 May 2025
Skift Asia’s two heart-warming moments of enlightenment
Bangkok – Every travel industry event has its inspiring, heart-warming takeaways. The Skift Asia Forum on May 15 was action-packed with tips and trends on surviving the ongoing turmoil and tumult. But two moments of enlightenment rekindled
more…18 May 2025
Palestine activist group in Thailand demands visa curbs on Israeli “war criminals”
Bangkok — Activists for Palestinian statehood are calling for curbs on the open-door visa-free entry extended to the thousands of Israeli “tourists” visiting Thailand, many of whom are mentally unstable soldiers suspected of war
more…14 May 2025
Financial Times column paves way for Skift Forum to start “rewriting the rules of travel”
Bangkok — On 10 May, the reputed Financial Times published an article by columnist Janan Ganesh headlined “Why Travel Didn’t Bring The World Together”. It explored why an industry that has been hailed as a “reminder
more…6 May 2025
Crises-hit Thai tourism losing control
Bangkok – Thailand recorded its third straight month of decline in visitor arrivals in April. In spite of an uptick during the Sonkgran New Year holiday and a resurgence in the post-Ramadan visitors from Islamic countries, Thailand recorded
more…4 May 2025
How Travel & Tourism is contributing to a decline in Global Press Freedom
Bangkok – Millions of dollars in advertising revenues being sucked up by tech giants such as Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft are strengthening their dominance over the dissemination of information and contributing to a “
more…2 May 2025
UN body launches Global Alliance of Peace to address “widespread global despair”
Bangkok — The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) has spearheaded the creation of an “Alliance for Peace” to address the “widespread despair of global citizens” over the resurgence of deadly armed confli
more…29 Apr 2025
Care about the “future generations?” Read this report…
Bangkok – Heightened global geopolitical tensions have led to a 9.3% increase in arms spending worldwide to US$2,718 billion (that’s US$2,718,000,000,000) in 2024. Of that figure, the United States comprised the largest percentage (37
more…26 Apr 2025
The “Collapse Of Trust”: Why Gen Z Job-Seekers Should Forget About Travel & Tourism
Bangkok – The Travel & Tourism industry is today very focussed on Gen Z, the “the Young Generation” (born between 1997-2012). I would strongly recommend Gen Z NOT, repeat NOT to pursue jobs in Travel & Tourism. Why? Chec
more…23 Apr 2025
PATA members get a “reality check” on the climate crisis — “Let’s do it for our kids”
The following speech was delivered by Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of SUNx Malta, at the PATA Annual Summit in Istanbul on 22 April. His main focus was on the impact of the climate crisis, but his “reality check” message appli
more…21 Apr 2025
From Covid to Chaos, Can PATA Find “Timeless Wisdom” at its Annual Summit?
Bangkok — The PATA annual summit due to open in Istanbul, the commercial capital of Türkiye, at the crossroads of East and West, bears the theme “Timeless Wisdom for a Sustainable Future”. Wisdom is in short supply in this era
more…7 Apr 2025
Crisis-hit Thai tourism staring down an abyss
Bangkok — Led by sharp drops in its two top source-markets, Thailand ended the January-March first quarter with 9.5 million arrivals, an anemic 1.91% increase over the 9.37 million in the first quarter of 2024. Most disturbing is the downwa
more…3 Apr 2025
Trump’s “tariffquake” marks the end of U.S. leadership globally
Bangkok — The sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump have been termed the end of globalisation and free trade. In fact, it marks the end of U.S. leadership worldwide. If trust is the most important criteria of leadership, t
more…2 Apr 2025
Thailand Tourism Festival showcases the Power of Peace, Unity and Harmony
Bangkok — The Thailand Tourism Festival, the kingdom’s annual celebration of nationwide travel offerings, had a strong focus on sustainability this year. Net-zero, carbon neutrality, recycling, were all the “In” thing. Its
more…25 Mar 2025
FREE Webinar: Thailand, The World’s First “Alliance of Civilisations” Destination and Thailand’s first “Peace Tourism” itinerary
Thailand, The World’s First “Alliance of Civilisations” Destination and Thailand’s first “Peace Tourism” itinerary OPEN AND FREE WEBINAR — NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED (Scroll down for zoom link and passcode). In an era of conflict
more…21 Mar 2025
The “Land of the Free” is all but dead. The “Land of Fear” is here
Bangkok – On 19 March, I spent a scintillating evening at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) listening to Nirmal Ghosh, author of “Backlash: Donald Trump And The Remaking Of America”. He was joined by Keith Richb
more…18 Mar 2025
Nirmal Ghosh’s new book “Backlash” reveals why Trump now faces a “Counter-Backlash”
Bangkok – The first question that came to mind while perusing this brilliant, page-turning book by veteran foreign correspondent Nirmal Ghosh was: Whence the name, “Backlash”? I will come to his response in a minute but before t
more…16 Mar 2025
Why every woman leader should read this UN Human Rights Council report
Bangkok — International Women’s Day was celebrated with much fanfare on March 8. Widespread speeches and proclamations celebrated the exemplary roles of women leaders in growing their companies and the Travel & Tourism industry. A
more…13 Mar 2025
How the booming Arms Bazaar is hurting Travel & Tourism
The pursuit of sustainability is doomed to fail without equal attention being paid to Peace, the 5th and most neglected of the 5Ps (Planet, Prosperity, People and Partnerships) of sustainability. Earlier this month, the linkage gained a higher se
more…12 Mar 2025
MICE events in Bangkok to hit new benchmark with bike commute option for FOSSASIA Summit delegates
Bangkok, Thailand – In a pioneering move designed to promote sustainable urban mobility, leading technology conference FOSSASIA has partnered with Anywheel and the Bangkok Urban Cycling Alliance (BUCA) to launch a bike-sharing service during th
more…6 Mar 2025
Another bad month for Thai tourism as arrivals drop 15.9% in February
Bangkok – Visitor arrivals to Thailand fell precipitously across the board to 3,119,445 in February 2025, a cumulative 15.9% decline over January 2025. Of the 91 source-markets covered by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in the official s
more…25 Feb 2025
Where I discovered the REAL meaning of “sustainability”
Johor Bahru, Malaysia — The word “sustainability” invariably conjures up stereotypical images of greenery, fresh air, forests, oceans, mountains. Last week, I discovered its real, deeper meaning. Not in a forest reserve nor a sm
more…