Author Archive
23 Apr, 2024
Celebrating my ouster from the PATA Thailand Chapter Executive Committee
Bangkok — On 22 April 2024, I was ousted from the PATA Thailand Executive Committee by a vote of 6:5 with one abstention. A paper-thin margin but enough to complete the well-orchestrated job. I was the only nominee voted out. All the others sailed through with unanimous votes. In the spirit of turning the negative […]
more…21 Apr, 2024
Thailand, Laos, Australia mark 30th anniversary of the Mekong’s first post-war Peace Project
Bangkok – Thailand, Laos and Australia are this week holding a series of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1st Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, the first infrastructure project to reinforce the peace and promote travel, tourism, transportation and trade as a conduit for the economic development of the post-war Indochina region. The 1,170-kilometre bridge […]
more…18 Apr, 2024
How Thailand, the “Land of the Free”, can bring peace to the Middle East
Bangkok — This may come as a shock to many, but the people of Thailand, the “Land of the Free”, are uniquely placed to help bring peace to the Middle East. How so? Very simple. Just visit both Israel and Palestine, see and experience the reality for themselves. A nice, peaceful way of establishing the […]
more…16 Apr, 2024
Travel & Tourism pays the price of not investing in peace
Bangkok — The global travel & tourism industry is waiting with bated breath to see what happens next in the Middle East. After ignoring the rising geopolitical tension for months, the industry was jolted out of its comfort zones by a sharp escalation which threatened to again bring the entire house crashing down. Climate change […]
more…12 Apr, 2024
First TRIPS report: From the Frying Pan into the Fire
Welcome to TRIPS (Trends-Risks-Innovations-Policies-Strategies), a new research publication I have launched to fire up honest and realistic discussion on the challenges facing Travel & Tourism in the post-Covid era. The first issue explores the Artificial Intelligence pandemic, and takes a critical look at its opportunities and threats. Please click on the image to download the […]
more…7 Apr, 2024
The four keywords of sustainable economic development, by a former head of the Thai Central Bank
The following opening remarks were delivered by Dr Veerathai Santiphrabhob, former governor (1 October 2015 to 30 September 2020) of the Bank of Thailand (Central Bank) at the launch of the 2024 edition of the United Nations Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific on 04 April 2024 at the Foreign Correspondents Club […]
more…6 Apr, 2024
Flagship UN report pinpoints pivotal role of Travel & Tourism in Asia-Pacific economic recovery
Bangkok — Robust domestic demand and Travel & Tourism are the two major factors contributing to the post-Covid economic recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, according to the flagship annual report of the UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia-Pacific. Released on 04 April, the report notes that although GDP growth has resumed, multiple risks […]
more…3 Apr, 2024
PATA members should deny Peter Semone a second term as Chairman
Bangkok — On 02 April, PATA Chairman Peter Semone sent out an announcement to the membership saying it has “successfully regained its footing in terms of finances, management and vision.” With a “highly talented” CEO and new plans and structures in place, he hailed PATA’s readiness to face the future in good shape. Alongside, he […]
more…29 Mar, 2024
Back to the future in historic downtown Bangkok
Bangkok – Roads paved over in the 19th century in the historic cultural centre of the Thai capital are going back to the future, resulting in increased usage by pedestrians and cyclists and reduced usage by polluting cars, tuk-tuks and motorcycles. The redesigning, part of a wider plan to make all of Bangkok more pedestrian-friendly, […]
more…28 Mar, 2024
World Happiness Report: Why is Finland #1 and Thailand #58?
Bangkok – A Gallup World Poll survey released on March 20 declared Finland the Happiest Country in the World for the 7th year running. What is the reason for this continuing success? According to Mr Ville Tavio, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Countries have to make happiness a policy goal and create an […]
more…25 Mar, 2024
UN Declares 2025 Year of Peace & Trust: Golden Opportunity for ASEAN tourism to take the lead
Bangkok — The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust (IYPT), and called for a fullscale mobilisation of efforts to build sustainable peace, solidarity and harmony via political dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation amongst nations and peoples. 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary since the end of World […]
more…21 Mar, 2024
PATA Tourism Careers Forum flags the Perils and Promises awaiting Gen Z
Bangkok — On 18 March 2024, more than 1,500 university students of tourism, including about 700 onsite and another 800 online, attended a half-day forum organised by the PATA Thailand chapter and Bangkok University to “Fast Forward” their careers. It ended with a round of self-congratulatory applause and predictions of a bright future. But a […]
more…7 Mar, 2024
Thai women tourism leaders set a global example for building peaceful, inclusive societies
Bangkok – Take a good look at this image below. See anything special? To mark International Women’s Day tomorrow (08 March) let me shed some light on its deeper symbolism and significance. The two Thai women in the red oval frame are Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Tourism and Sports (seated) and Mrs Thapanee Kiatphaibool, […]
more…5 Mar, 2024
Photo exhibition gives Thais a chance to witness Pakistan’s stunning scenic beauty
Bangkok – Nearly 200 photographs capturing the scenic grandeur of Pakistan are on display at The Living Hall, 3rd Floor, Paragon Shopping Complex in Central Bangkok until March 10. Meticulously shot by David Lau, a renowned Bangkok-based adventure photographer, the images are on display as part of events marking the 77th National Day of Pakistan. […]
more…3 Mar, 2024
Thai PM leads “Peace Through Tourism” visit to South Thailand
Bangkok – “When the people have money in their pockets, they will forget about their conflicts.” That simple rationale summarised the core objective of Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s historic “Peace Through Tourism” visit to the kingdom’s southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat between 27-29 February. Under the slogan “Travel to the South — […]
more…27 Feb, 2024
Tourism tops agenda of Thai Prime Minister’s Feb 27-29 visit to South Thailand
Bangkok — Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has embarked on a three-day visit to the three Muslim-majority provinces of South Thailand, specifically to promote tourism. The trip will include a range of social, cultural and economic activities designed to highlight the growth potential of Narathiwat and Yala, which share a direct land border with Malaysia, […]
more…22 Feb, 2024
To become a multi-sectoral HUB, Thailand first needs to build its HOB
Bangkok — On 22 Feb, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled an “IGNITE Thailand Vision” policy to make the kingdom a HUB of tourism, health & wellness, agriculture & food, aviation, logistics, future mobility, digital economy and finance. But speakers at a conference on promoting interfaith dialogue held at Bangkok’s prestigious Chulalongkorn University on Feb 17 […]
more…18 Feb, 2024
SDGs will fail to meet 2030 target, but Travel & Tourism can still be a big help
Bangkok — The “unfavourable global context” has rendered the 2030 target for the UN Sustainable Development Goals unachievable, according to a UN report. Although considerable progress has been made across all the 17 goals, it is “uneven and inadequate” across countries and categories, and will not be fully achieved until 2062. The progress report was […]
more…14 Feb, 2024
First Time in Thailand – Bangkok Mosques to conduct Open House tours
Bangkok – For the first time in Thailand, dozens of mosques across Bangkok will open their doors for public visitation over the Eid Ul Fitr holiday around 9-10 April, the biggest Islamic event which follows the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The project is designed to build peace, harmony, friendship and multicultural awareness, […]
more…11 Feb, 2024
Thai travel industry urged to reduce usage of US$ for doing business
Bangkok – The Thai travel & tourism industry has been warned about using the US dollar for business transactions and urged to use the currencies of the countries with which they are doing business. In a landmark lecture at this year’s joint meeting of the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the Thai Hotels Association […]
more…8 Feb, 2024
Geopolitics shunts sustainability as the biggest threat to Travel & Tourism
Bangkok — Thailand’s foreign policy of maintaining strict neutrality in the midst of superpower bunfights has become the key to its national security and economic survival. Although Travel & Tourism is both a major component and beneficiary of that policy, the prospect of prolonged global geopolitical instability means that industry is hanging by a thread, […]
more…31 Jan, 2024
Saudi Arabia in big demand at Thai travel show as outbound rebounds
Bangkok – Saudi Tourism made its second appearance at the 29th Thailand International Travel Fair [TITF 2024], the annual event organised by the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), which groups the country’s outbound travel agents and tour operators. It was one of the highlights of the 24-28 January event at the Queen Sirikit National Convention […]
more…29 Dec, 2023
Person of the Year: The Israeli conscientious objector Tal Mitnick, 18
The travel and tourism industry has long feigned concern about the “NextGen”. Multiple activities are organised regularly to help them inherit a better future. The way things are going, that does not seem likely. Today, I am making a small attempt to thwart that downward trend by conferring, for the first time, a Travel Impact […]
more…24 Dec, 2023
Thailand tourism enjoys robust rebound in 2023 but danger looms high for 2024
Bangkok — Since the end of the Covid-19 crisis in 2021, Thai tourism has enjoyed a robust rebound and is set to end 2023 just a little shy of 30 million visitors. While that may heighten optimism of hitting the pre-Covid total of 40 million in 2024, the Israel-Palestine war is already having an impact […]
more…22 Dec, 2023
Thailand’s telegenic, fashionable, peace-promoting tourism Brand Ambassador
Bangkok – I am often challenged to prove my characterisation of Thailand as “The Greatest Story in Global Tourism HiSTORY.” Having covered this chaotic yet magnificent country’s high-flying tourism industry since 1981, I have seen and experienced its unique selling propositions across multiple sectors. Today, I can claim that Thailand has the world’s most telegenic, […]
more…21 Dec, 2023
PATA Chairman, an American, blasts global geopolitical unrest as “existential threat” to tourism
Bangkok — Mr Peter Semone, the American chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, has unleashed a blistering attack on the “ethnocentrism and extreme views” dominating the political discourse in his country. “America used to be a melting pot where anyone could succeed regardless of your place of birth, race, creed, religion, or ethnicity. The […]
more…19 Dec, 2023
Bangkok art exhibitions reflect Peace and Tranquility but Reality paints a different picture
Bangkok — On 16 December 2023, my wife and I spent a few hours immersed in the grandeur of art as an expression of peace and tranquility at the Jim Thompson Art Center in Bangkok. One exhibition titled “Echoed Tranquillity” combined the works of Din Q. Le (Vietnam), Toshiko Tanaka (Japan) and Pratchaya Pinthong (Thailand). […]
more…6 Dec, 2023
Gaza butchery set to boost bottom-lines of global merchants of death, especially the Israelis
Bangkok – The blood of innocent Palestinians is set to generate a financial goldmine for Israeli arms dealers Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the aggregate arms revenue of these three companies rose by 6.5 per cent to $12.4 billion in 2022. That was triggered […]
more…29 Nov, 2023
Is Travel & Tourism ready for the catastrophic fallout of the Israel-Palestine conflict?
Today, Nov 29, marks the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. It comes against the backdrop of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people, supported by the United States and several European countries in line with Israel’s “right to defend itself”. The savagery and brutality of the latest round of conflict has left deep […]
more…28 Nov, 2023
ASEAN Young Gen team to push indigenous “Cultural Wisdom” at Climate Change conference
Bangkok — How did people live in the pre-oil era? A life free of gas-guzzling cars, electricity, aircraft, condominiums, etc, was quite comfortable, apparently. According to the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA), people had more than enough know-how to “manage land, forests, rivers and seas that are climate-friendly, sustainable, and adaptable; age-old methods for […]
more…27 Nov, 2023
FREE Lectures on Visit Thailand Year 1987 to mark HM the late King Bhumibhol’s 96th birth anniversary
Dec 5, 2023 will mark the 96th birth anniversary of His Majesty the late King Bhumibhol Adulyadej the Great. It will be His Majesty’s 8th 12-year cycle birth anniversary. Exactly 36 years ago, in 1987, His Majesty’s 5th cycle birth anniversary was marked with a momentous national celebration known as Visit Thailand Year, […]
more…27 Nov, 2023
Hotelbeds MarketHub summit shows recovery is on a roll, but danger looms
Bangkok – The travel industry is awash with statistics celebrating the AC (After Covid) “recovery”. But the next crisis is already on the cards. While both trends were on display at the annual Hotelbeds MarketHub summit in Bangkok between 21-23 November, it was apparent that travel corporations and stakeholders are still operating within the traditional […]
more…24 Nov, 2023
Make “behavioural change”, former Thai Tourism Minister tells business leaders
Bangkok — Former Thai Minister of Tourism & Sports, Senator Weerasak Kowsurat, one of the country’s most respected industry personalities, says global business leaders will need to make a “behavioural change” if they wish to deal with the twin challenges facing both the natural environment as well as their own business operating environment. Citing the […]
more…4 Nov, 2023
04 Nov 1995: The Death of “Peace Through Tourism” and the Failure of Travel & Tourism Leadership
04 Nov should be declared a Day of Mourning in Travel & Tourism. It marked the first and last time the Prime Minister of any country addressed an audience of leading hoteliers on how they, the whole world and the future generation will profit from “PEACE THROUGH TOURISM”. A retired military officer proudly proclaiming that […]
more…21 Oct, 2023
Nov 4 Webinar: An Act of Evil Terrorism that Changed the Course of History
Countdown to Nov 4 – The day a Jewish Zionist fanatic terrorist changed the course of history. I was the only travel trade journalist from Asia in Tel Aviv the night Yigal Amir assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a Nobel Peace prize winner. The mayhem unfolding in the Middle East today is exactly what […]
more…5 Oct, 2023
A tribute to Pran Nath Seth: The veteran Indian travel journalist who saw tomorrow
As “sustainability” is dominating discussions at the PATA Travel Mart in New Delhi this week, I felt it would be a good idea to hark back to the words of the late Indian travel writer and analyst Pran Nath Seth, arguably the first journalist to warn way back in the 1980s about the risk of […]
more…4 Oct, 2023
The two Indian travel veterans who shook up PATA
As the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) meets this week for the Travel Mart in New Delhi, it may be timely to recognise two late Indian veterans who defied the odds to bring about changes which had far-reaching impact on PATA and the Asia-Pacific travel industry. Mr Inder Sharma (PATA President, 1992-93) spearheaded the membership […]
more…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 […]
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 Kiatphaibool, the TAT’s 11th […]
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 from the US, Japan, […]
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 legacy media, especially the travel […]
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 dance performances, hear FREE […]
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 people of Thailand are Buddhists, […]
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 being initiated across multiple sectors […]
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, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joaquim Dias […]
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 find buyers amongst Thai […]
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 a tough battle, its mainstream […]
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 not so rosy ones, 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, economic and political systems worldwide. […]
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 baht opportunity for planning and […]
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 to the anti-Muslim, Islamophobic political […]
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 issues and opportunities in the […]
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 issued a report estimating that […]
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 Travel & Tourism […]
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, the International Trades Union […]
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 by 3.7% in real terms […]
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 by the Russian Federation in […]
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 the workforce, with rights for […]
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 MONEY.”
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 arts, crafts, fashion accessories, cosmetics, […]
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 two questions: 1) What Happened? […]
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 has come back to […]
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 be a turning point in […]
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 travel trade business forums, dozens […]
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 cultural and spiritual wisdoms as […]
more…15 Dec, 2022
Registration details: “Shaping a Better Future for Thai Tourism by Understanding the Past”
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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 to celebrate a collection […]
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 message of socio-cultural harmony which […]
more…29 Nov, 2022
What do APEC summits really achieve?
Enormous amounts of time, effort and money go into hosting summits such as the APEC 2022. They always end with rah-rah statements hailing their success. But are they really a “success”? How does one define, evaluate and rate “success”? Is there room for an objective debate? One way of analysing the outcomes is to rewind […]
more…23 Nov, 2022
Discovering the APEC 2022 theme “Open Connect Balance” in Northeast Thailand
Bangkok – Hundreds of journalists from Thailand and around the world covered the APEC summit in Bangkok between 18-19 November. Not me. Having reported on dozens of such summits over my 50 years in journalism, I no longer see the need to tolerate onerous security requirements or waste time listening to speeches and finding information […]
more…17 Nov, 2022
A soul-searching tour to keep Thailand safe from “The Other Global Warming”
Bangkok – On 29 Oct 2022, I took a group of civil society tourism activists on an Alliance of Civilisations tour of the Bangkok riverside. These iconic sites — an historic temple, church and mosque in one neighbourhood cluster — represent the real competitive advantage of Thai tourism, viz., a Buddhist-majority kingdom with a complete […]
more…6 Nov, 2022
Israeli elections outcome makes a Clash of Civilisations a near certainty
The return of Israeli politician Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister of Israel is set to intensify the Clash of Civilisations (which I have labelled “The Other Global Warming”) and worsen the threats to global security and stability. That Travel & Tourism will eventually feel the heat is a foregone conclusion. In a macabre quirk of […]
more…3 Nov, 2022
How to find and retain staff post-Covid? Try compassion, empathy and fairness
Bangkok: Sukamal Mondal is one of a rising generation of Indian-born management executives in global Travel & Tourism. Since moving from China to Thailand in 2012, the Mandarin-speaking hotelier has risen to Area General Manager of eight properties of the Onyx Hospitality Group, owned by the Thai business conglomerate Italthai. As Thai tourism goes from […]
more…24 Oct, 2022
PATA Summit topics all “Old Hat”, says industry veteran
When the Covid-19 crisis began in 2020 and hit its peak in 2021, the global travel & tourism industry saw some glimmer of hope that it would soon come to an end. Recovery and resilience campaigns emerged on the drawing boards, with three mantras dominating the discourse: 1) Build Back Better; 2) Create a New […]
more…29 Sep, 2022
“Rethinking Tourism” on the agenda at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand
Bangkok — I enjoyed a refreshing and stimulating World Tourism Day discussion on “Rethinking Tourism” at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, the oldest, largest and most active foreign media club in Southeast Asia. Here are some of the core takeaways from the Sept 28 panel discussion: 1. Senator Weerasak Kowsurat, a former Thai tourism […]
more…29 Aug, 2022
Now in Thailand: Asia’s first Alliance of Civilisations visitor experience
Bangkok – More by chance than design, Thailand has created Asia’s first Alliance of Civilisations visitor experience. Initiated by the Thai Foreign Ministry, primarily to serve a diplomatic purpose, the “Community of Three Religions” offers a perfect base for designing a global community-based Travel & Tourism model in the post-Covid era. As the widely-forecast Clash […]
more…19 Aug, 2022
“13 Lives” Thai actor hopes film delivers a Greater Good for Thailand and the world
Bangkok – The hugely positive global reaction to the movie “13 Lives” will be a marketing bonanza for Thai travel & tourism but one of its lead Thai actors says he truly hopes it will go beyond that and deliver a greater good for Thai society and humanity at large. In an interview last week, […]
more…15 Aug, 2022
India at 75: At the Epicentre of a Clash of Civilisations
India marked the 75th anniversary of its independence on Aug 15 with widespread soul-searching about its past, present and future. The country is now the epicentre of the Clash of Civilisations, openly pursuing a “Muslim-mukt” (Muslim-free) agenda that will take at least a few decades to succeed. The path ahead is strewn with conflict and […]
more…9 Aug, 2022
Sixteen thought-prompting takeaways from “Thirteen Lives”
Released worldwide last week, “Thirteen Lives” is much more than just a movie. In a world obsessed with story-telling, it is a Grand Story of the first order. Like all stories of heroism, it can be viewed, enjoyed and forgotten, or it can be studied as a work of art or literature. I opted for […]
more…8 Aug, 2022
The Travel Industry Journalists Who Took a Stand Against War, and Made History
In January 2003, a group of 44 journalists made history by co-signing the first anti-war statement ever issued by the Travel & Tourism industry. Released at the first ASEAN Tourism Forum held in Cambodia, the journalists’ petition was a follow-up to an official anti-war statement released also for the first time at the same event […]
more…14 Jul, 2022
Sri Lankan turmoil shows it failed to learn the lessons of a 26-year civil war
Watching the turmoil in Sri Lanka these days reminded me of a UNWTO conference on “Tourism: A Catalyst for Development, Peace and Reconciliation” held in the northern Sri Lanka township of Passikudah in July 2016. It was organised by the Sri Lankan tourism authorities with the support of the then UNWTO Secretary-General Dr Taleb Rifai, […]
more…11 Jul, 2022
Thai-Saudi travel set to boom after red-carpet treatment for Riyadh business delegation
Bangkok — A team of more than 100 high-level delegates from Saudi Arabia visited Thailand between 3-7 July 2022 as part of the roadmap set by the two countries following the historic diplomatic patch-up in January 2022. The group consisted of 57 corporate executives plus senior representatives of the Saudi Tourism Authority, the Saudi Fund […]
more…20 Jun, 2022
How the new Thai privacy protection law will hurt tourism marketing, networking and MICE events
Phuket – The Thailand Travel Mart Plus held in Phuket between 8-10 June 2022 was the first local travel trade show since the enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Act. That led to some immediate and multiple changes in the way information about the participants was displayed. Whether the law did anything to protect anyone’s […]
more…16 Jun, 2022
Back to the Future: The Most Important Thai Tourism Crisis Recovery Meeting Ever Held
Many meetings are being held these days to plan for a post-Covid tourism REcovery… Most are just REhashing and REcycling old ideas and solutions. None come even close to matching the intellectual firepower and recommendations of arguably the most important crisis recovery meeting ever held in Thai tourism history. Please click here to email confirmation […]
more…14 Jun, 2022
Successful Thailand Travel Mart in Phuket gives impetus to rebounding visitor arrivals
Phuket — Thailand’s rebounding tourism industry is set to gather steam following a successful Thailand Travel Mart Plus in Phuket between 8-10 June 2022. A total of 277 buyers from 42 countries and 62 international media got a first hand look at the leading Thai resort island’s range of products and services. And a total […]
more…3 Jun, 2022
Will PATA’s new hybrid chairman raise a Voice for the Voiceless?
Bangkok – If hybrid meetings, cars and work-places are now the “in” thing, why not hybrid leaders? In the post-Covid era, the new chairman of PATA could well be the first of that generation. Peter Semone was elected to lead this once formidable travel institution in the midst of a perfect storm. The pandemic is […]
more…17 May, 2022
A Prominent Thai Buddhist monk’s alternative path to Reopening, Recovery, Resilience
Bangkok – One of Thailand’s prominent Buddhist monks has flipped all the conventional textbook theories of crisis management with a heart-warming personal perspective on the prevailing “Reopening, Recovery, Resilience” agenda. The simple but profound wisdom shared by the Venerable Phra Anil Sakya, the Rector of Mahamakut Buddhist University, won him a round of polite applause […]
more…14 May, 2022
134-member Thai team off to Saudi Arabia to spur ties across multiple sectors
Bangkok – A mammoth delegation of 134 Thai public and private sector representatives is to depart for Saudi Arabia on 15 May for four days of intensive, multi-sectoral meetings that will give a huge fillip to relations between the world’s two most populous Buddhist and Islamic kingdoms. The delegation will be led by Mr. Don […]
more…7 Apr, 2022
Health and Wellness: 30 Daily Reasons why Ramadan is Better than Yoga
As interest in Health and Wellness is surging globally in the wake of the Covid-19 catastrophe, I have prepared a series of daily posts to promote the vast physical, mental, spiritual, social, economic and environmental benefits of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. These benefits of the world’s largest joint movement regrettably get lost in […]
more…16 Feb, 2022
An Honest and Constructive Critique of the Visit Thailand Year 2022 Strategic Plan
This special report focusses on the strategic plan to reboot Thai tourism with a Visit Thailand Year 2022 campaign. It takes a critical thinking approach but in an honest and constructive context. Click on the image to watch…
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 help design a new post-pandemic model for global tourism? As Thailand Bureau Chief for the then leading travel […]
more…28 Jan, 2022
Thai Saudi Relations Take a New Turn – A Ray of Light in a World of Darkness
This special report focuses on the diplomatic rapprochement between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, the background to and impact of the 32-year conflict, and the huge benefits now set to accrue for the peoples of both countries and the regions and the world at large. Click on the image to access the YouTube link….
more…23 Jan, 2022
To Tax or Not To Tax: The Dilemma Facing Thai Tourism
Thai Government revenues have fallen precipitously as a result of the pandemic, and so have tourism budgets. Paying for medical emergencies as well as the consequences of Acts of God and self-inflicted crises is no longer possible. A 300 baht tourist tax is in the works. The idea is proving controversial, and also opening up […]
more…14 Jan, 2022
Crossing the Rubicon: Door Opens for Travel & Tourism to Take a Stand on Political Issues
A cursory look at the numerous crisis which have hit global tourism in the past three decades will show that they can be divided into two – man-made crises such as wars, terrorism, economic disasters, local conflicts, and Acts of God such as pandemics, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes… Fitting somewhere in the middle is Climate Change, […]
more…9 Jan, 2022
Time for Brand name Travel & Tourism CEOs to Change Their Tune? Part 1
This current generation of CEOs is inheriting a bigger mess than ever. They claim to see opportunities, but I don’t see too many of them talking about the hazards, risks and threats of the chaos which prevails today. Have they learned the lessons of history? After inheriting the mess created by the outgoing generation, the […]
more…2 Jan, 2022
Reality Check: The Future of Tourism in a Dangerously Imbalanced World
Everyone says they want to learn from past mistakes, but how is that possible without first acknowledging those mistakes? If travel & tourism wants to vaccinate itself from the next crisis, it will have to rebalance its agenda, democratise its discussion platforms, re-set its own mindset, speak truth to power and hold those causing problems […]
more…27 Dec, 2021
Loss of Balance – The Biggest Failure of Global Tourism
The concept of balance will drive the post-Covid tourism development agenda. However, there is growing evidence that the chasms of imbalance are widening still further. Past mistakes are again being repeated. Tourism has a chance to make a fresh start from a nearly clean slate. A well-balanced recovery should be the basis of a New […]
more…19 Dec, 2021
A SWOT analysis of Visit Thailand Year 2022
The entire operating environment of Visit Thailand Year 2022 is totally different from that which led to the success of Visit Thailand Year 1987. As events of the past few decades have proved, tourism is no longer in control of its destiny. It is entirely at the mercy of external and internal shocks. That scenario […]
more…19 Dec, 2021
2022: 11 Historic Anniversaries raise Soul-Searching Questions about the Future of Tourism
In 2020, when the Covid-19 crisis was still in its early days, there was a lot of bluster about how it could be converted into an opportunity to create a New Normal and Build Back Better. In 2022, as a recovery seems to be on the horizon, 11 significant anniversaries will open windows of opportunity […]
more…5 Dec, 2021
How Thai Tourism Failed a Great King
In this video, made to commemorate the birth anniversary of His Majesty the late King Rama IX the Great, I share a few thoughts on what I consider to be the biggest mistake made by Thai tourism — exploiting the marketing opportunities presented by the various Royal events over the late King’s 70-year reign, but […]
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