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12 Sep, 2023

Tourism aiding rehabilitation of convicts, drug dealers in North Thailand

Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai Provinces, North Thailand — Hundreds of convicted prisoners serving time in two Northern Thailand correctional institutions are being rehabilitated and prepared to lead a post-release normal life under an Inspire project initiated by Princess Bajarakitiyabha, the eldest daughter of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Tourism is proving to be an important […]

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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 help design a new post-pandemic model for global tourism? As Thailand Bureau Chief for the 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 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: 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 rise did not happen by chance. It was the result of a broad range 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 deficiencies. Today, as the country prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai 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 arrivals by "creating a wholesome image" of the Thai 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 support from Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat and Tourism Authority of Thailand 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 Olive Tree Edition 20, July-August 2020 [caption id="attachment_60510" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Click on 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 who elevated this robust and dynamic industry to its present heights. Click here more…

28 Aug, 2023

Game-changing Lecture not to be missed: Thailand as the World’s First “Alliance of Civilisations” Destination

Bangkok - September 2023 will be an important month in the history of Thailand. Within Thailand, a new Minister of Tourism will take charge in the Cabinet which has just been cobbled together after the contentious May 2023 elections. The Tourism Authority of Thailand will get a new Governor, Mrs Thapanee more…

25 Aug, 2023

As time runs out, SDG targets still a long way from being met, Thailand’s UN diplomat warns

Bangkok - On 24 August, I covered an event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the role of global aid and development agencies in promoting sustainability in Thailand, the Mekong countries and beyond. Organised by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), a unit of the MFA, the event included agencies more…

10 Aug, 2023

First TAT event for social media influencers opens new chapter in travel communications

Bangkok - Thailand's travel industry communications entered a new era on 9 Aug 2023 with the first fully-hosted fam trips exclusively designed for 60 influencers and social-media bloggers commanding a total claimed following of 26 million. Effectively, it marked the beginning of the end of decades of relations with the more…

7 Aug, 2023

Thailand Tourism Festival highlights its value as a “Confluence of Civilisations”

Bangkok -- Thousands of people hit the 41st Thailand Tourism Festival between August 2-6 to enjoy the best of the kingdom's creativity, culture, cuisine, community products, colour and crafts. On the surface, it was just the usual holiday show, for visitors to eat, drink, get a massage, enjoy FREE music and more…

5 Aug, 2023

Unlocking the real value of “India’s Best Kept Secret”

Bangkok - In his welcoming remarks at the inaugural Odisha tourism roadshow in Bangkok Mr. J.K. Mohanty, Co-Chair of the Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Tourism Committee, highlighted the historic significance and value of visiting the East Indian coastal state via its capital, Bhubaneswar. The more…

28 Jul, 2023

Where the desert meets the rainforest — Thai, Saudi rural/ecotourism bodies sign collaboration MoU

Bangkok - Relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia took another positive step forward with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to promote collaboration between two leading rural/ecotourism associations in both kingdoms. Signed on 14 July in Bangkok, the MoU is one amongst a broad range of activities and projects more…

25 Jul, 2023

Tourism Academics struggle to cope with overwhelming pace of change

Bangkok / Kuala Lumpur -- The depth and breadth of changes sweeping through global Travel & Tourism are challenging the relevance and value of tourism studies system-wide to the point where academics themselves are struggling to adjust. Speaking at the annual ASEAN Tourism Researchers Association (ATRA) Forum on 21 July, more…

19 Jul, 2023

Palestinians bid to open Thai/Vietnamese markets for health and farm products, herbal soap, carved stonework

Bangkok - Palestinian business consultant Hanan Taha Rayyan was in Bangkok in early July to promote business and tourism between Thailand and Palestine. In an interview, I asked her what products can Thai companies buy from Palestine. This is what she sent me: With proper marketing support, these products could easily more…

10 Jul, 2023

Malaysia’s MYairline launches Bangkok flights, faces tough battle with AirAsia

Bangkok -- The new Malaysia-based low-cost airline MYairline has launched its first international routes between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. In a press conference on 05 July 2023, CEO Rayner Teo said the gameplan is to enter the high-density routes and gain market-share. However, in a clear sign that it faces more…

26 Jun, 2023

Phuket’s Expo 2028 loss: Physician, Heal Thyself

Bangkok - The Thai team involved in the failed bid for the Specialised Expo 2027/28 is closely analysing the reasons for the shocking loss, with a view to learning the lessons of the experience. As Thailand is not exactly well known for learning the lessons of any experience, especially the more…

16 Jun, 2023

Buddhist Monk offers East-West hybrid path to navigate polarisation

In a lecture on the topic of “Navigating a Polarised Society” in Bangkok on June 14, the Venerable Amaro Bhikkhu, Abbot of Amaravati Monastery in the UK, cited the North and South Poles as examples of “polarisation” in terms of geographical distance. This same gap now applies, literally, to ideologies, more…

10 Jun, 2023

Thailand’s rip-roaring Masala Wedding Fair is back, funky and vibrant as ever

Bangkok – Thailand’s largest and most popular Indian wedding exhibition, The Masala Wedding Fair, is marking its 10th anniversary this year at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park hotel between June 10-11. It is a one-stop shop for trade buyers, consumers and the general public keen to tap the multi-million more…

6 Jun, 2023

India suffers 12-point drop in Global Muslim Travel Index rankings

India has dropped a staggering 12 points in the destination rankings of the annual Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2023. It is the fourth straight year of decline since 2019. Although some blame is being laid at the doorstep of the Covid-19 crisis, most of it is being directly attributed more…

31 May, 2023

Trial by fire for “responsible and sustainable travel”

This week, Nepal is playing host to the Adventure Mart and Annual Summit of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). According to the website, it is "a global tourism forum that brings together international thought leaders, industry shapers and senior decision-makers from both the public and private sectors to address more…

28 May, 2023

How Death Outlives War: The Human Costs of “The Other Global Warming”

Bangkok -- Over the last 50 years, extreme weather turbo-charged by man-made global warming has caused more than two million deaths and $4.3 trillion in economic losses, according to a World Meteorological Organisation report released on 22 May. A week earlier, on 15 May, the Costs of War project had more…

22 May, 2023

Registration link: How recent elections in “Incredible India” and “Amazing Thailand” will impact Travel & Tourism

The extraordinary anti-establishment results of the May 2023 elections in both Thailand and India could prove to be a geopolitical game-changer for Asia. Travel & Tourism will be affected for better and/or for worse. Join this unmatched analysis and discussion with Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire, the Asia-Pacific region's leading more…

1 May, 2023

Labour Day: Global workers say People suffering more than Planet, more strikes likely

Bangkok - The global trades union movement has issued a strong May 1 Labour Day statement chastising corporations and governments for prioritising the planet over the suffering of working people. The statement warns that more strikes can be expected if the situation continues to deteriorate. Marking its 150th anniversary this year, more…

26 Apr, 2023

As wars rage, tourism suffers, the arms bazaar prospers

Bangkok -- On 24 April, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its annual report on global military expenditure. It makes shocking reading. Even as the world grapples with poverty, climate change, health pandemics, natural disasters and struggles to revive jobs and economic growth, total global military expenditure increased more…

21 Apr, 2023

Unipolar or Multipolar World: Russia to hold U.N. debate on ways to dethrone U.S.

United Nations -- On 24 April 2023, a landmark debate is to be held at the UN HQ in New York on ways to dethrone the United States and its allies as the global unipolar power and replace it with a multipolar, "equitable and democratic international order." The debate, called more…

9 Apr, 2023

Legalisation of Thai sex work: 15 questions for Travel & Tourism to consider NOW!!

Bangkok - Thailand is heading towards legalising sex work. Making the sale of sex similar to that of selling any service, it is hoped, will end the currently widespread harmful side-effects: corruption, human trafficking, human rights violations, and more. It will also allow sex workers to become mainstream members of more…

14 Mar, 2023

Register here: 10 Simple, Creative Ways Thai Travel & Tourism SMEs can MAKE MORE MONEY

This post contains details of the registration process for the Executive Business Briefing on 28 March 2023 on "10 Simple, Creative Ways Thai Travel & Tourism SMEs can MAKE MORE more…

3 Mar, 2023

Organic and Balance Tourism featured at Thai “Happy Society” Fair

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand -- Organic tourism and Balanced Tourism products were both prominently present at the 8th Annual Sookjai Organic Festival held at the Suan Sampran eco-resort (https://suansampran.com/) between February 17-19. They were among a vast spread of organic products and services on display, ranging from fruits and vegetables to more…

28 Feb, 2023

Change at the Top: Next Few Months Will be Critical for PATA

Bangkok - The first female and Asian-American appointed as CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has also turned out to be its shortest-serving. The 27 February 2023 announcement of the resignation of Ms Liz Ortiguera and the accompanying statement to the PATA membership by Chairman Peter Semone beg more…

17 Feb, 2023

Japan leads visa-free destination presence at revived Thai outbound travel show

Bangkok - Japan and the visa-free destinations of Northeast Asia and ASEAN took up an estimated 60% of the floor space at the 28th Thailand International Travel Fair held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok between 16-19 February 2023. Saudi Arabia also made its inaugural appearance. The show more…

13 Feb, 2023

WebBeds Summit proves that Thai foreign policy, not tourism policy, is leading the recovery

Bangkok - Thai tourism is bouncing back robustly, thanks to open doors, vigorous marketing campaigns and a hungry private sector. But a closer look will show that Thai foreign policy, not tourism policy, is the bedrock reason for the recovery. Recognising the significance and importance of that could prove to more…

1 Feb, 2023

Critical Tourism Studies conference in Vietnam will reset the post-Covid agenda

Bangkok -- The post-Covid travel & tourism agenda in the Asia Pacific is heading for a major reset at the upcoming 3rd Critical Tourism Studies (CTS) Conference to be held in Vietnam, Hanoi, between 13-17 February 2023. In a radical departure from the politically correct topics which dominate the humdrum more…

22 Jan, 2023

Watershed conference flags wisdom-based cultural solutions to Climate Change crisis

Bangkok -- The search for solutions to the climate change crisis is dominated by expensive and complicated technological and financial fixes. But a three-day conference organised by the Southeast Asia Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA) jointly with Thailand's pre-eminent natural history and heritage institution, the Siam Society, cited the region’s centuries-old more…

12 Dec, 2022

Celebrity designer Jimmy Choo officiates at Malaysian segment of Thai Silk Fashion Expo

Bangkok - Celebrity Malaysian fashion designer Datuk Jimmy Choo was a Guest of Honour at the Malaysian segment of the Thai Silk International Fashion Week held at the Siam Paragon Hall in Bangkok between December 7-11, 2022 International fashion designers from more than 60 nations participated in the 25 shows held more…

9 Dec, 2022

How a Pattaya transgender show promotes unity, diversity and humanity

Pattaya, Thailand -- Transgender shows are must-visit attractions in the Thai beach resort of Pattaya. Decked in glittering costumes, the heavily made-up performers lip-sync their way through a repertoire of popular songs. It may come across as superficial, dumbed-down entertainment, but one transgender show has elevated the content with a more…