Thailand Partners with UN Tourism for the 2025 Tourism Forum
Together with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports collaborated with UN Tourism to host the Thailand Tourism Forum 2025. The event, held on May 7th in Bangkok, focused on the theme Navigating Global Tourism Trends: Strengthening Thailand’s Tourism Industry.
The forum attracted over 500 participants, both on-site and online, featuring senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and more, including:
- Minister Sorawong Thienthong
- Vice-Minister Jakraphon Tangsutthitham
- Secretary Krisada Tanterdthit
- Deputy Permanent Secretary Vanida Phansoad
- TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool
- Tourist Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Saksira Pheuak-um.
A Step in the Right Direction
This forum represented a significant stride in shaping the future of Thai tourism in accordance with global trends. Harry Hwang delivered congratulatory remarks on behalf of UN’s Secretary-General, reinforcing their commitment to partnering with Thailand.
Keynote speaker Sandra Carvao discussed Global Tourism Trends and Directions: 2025–2030, highlighting transformational forces in global tourism. A notable panel discussion on Shaping the Future of Tourism Platforms and the Road to 2030 examined how AI is influencing travel patterns and policy.
Emphasizing adaptive policies, Minister Thienthong asserted Thailand’s commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. He presented Borsuak Village in Nan Province as an exemplary model of community-based tourism recognized by UN Tourism.
To outline Thailand’s future tourism strategies, he stressed:
- Transitioning from volume to value to attract high-spending travelers.
- Expanding tourism income to secondary cities through community-based initiatives.
- Merging soft power with the digital economy.
- Diversifying source markets to minimize risks.
- Preparing for various crises, including pandemics and economic downturns.
Thienthong concluded with a call for unified efforts towards the Thailand Model, establishing a sustainable vision for tourism that brands Thailand as a “Destination of the Future.”
