13 Oct, 2024
Heard But Not Heeded: An 8th anniversary tribute to King Rama IX the Great
Today, Oct 13, 2024, marks the 8th death anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej the Great, the country’s longest reigning monarch, (9 June 1946 – 13 October 2016), known as the “Development King” and curator of the visionary nation-building formula known as the “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy,” long before the MDGs and SDGs came along. […]
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 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…11 Oct, 2024
Sofitel marks 60th anniversary with masterpiece painting-cum-poetry exhibition in Bangkok
Bangkok - Thailand's status as an Alliance of Civilisations destinations has been embellished by a sensitively curated exhibition of paintings and poems in Thai, English and French on display at the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, the flagship Thai property of the Accor group. Part of a worldwide 60th anniversary commemoration of 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. Thailand's great marketing campaigns, crisis situations, political upheavals and development challenges are more…23 Sep, 2024
Thousands Walk, Eat, Chill as Bangkok launches Car-Free street
Bangkok -- Thousands of Bangkokians and tourists thronged the Bantadthong road in downtown Bangkok to Walk, Eat, Chill over two evenings of car-free relief between 21-22 Sept 2024. The roughly 500-metre stretch of road, which is lined by about 200 SME eating outlets, came alive with families and young people more…19 Sep, 2024
Tourism, Connectivity and Soft-Power Set to Drive “Proactive” Thai Foreign Policy
Bangkok -- Promoting tourism, connectivity with the regional countries and Thai Soft-Power are to be the core drivers of the Foreign Ministry's "proactive, people-centered economic diplomacy" in the next six months. Addressing the MFA's second "Meet the Press" session on 19 Sept, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said, "Diplomacy must be more…18 Sep, 2024
An interfaith study tour template for Thailand as an Alliance of Civilisations destination
Bangkok - If the Thai Travel & Tourism industry recognises the rising global tide of hate speech, ethnocentricism and extremism as a potential risk and threat to its sustainable and commercial future, it will have to initiate a preventive-action partnership with moderate religious leaders such as those I met on more…12 Sep, 2024
Is Travel & Tourism ready for another 25 years of the “War on Terror”
11 September 2024 marked the 23rd anniversary of the infamous terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington DC. Ever since that day, the world has been gripped by a “War on Terror,” making it the over-arching source of geopolitical instability in the first more…6 Sep, 2024
PATA Youth Forums need to flip the format
Bangkok -- PATA events tend to be a collection of visionary speeches, strategic thinking, forecasts and recovery plans. But no sooner does the situation begin to improve that another crisis strikes. One step forward, two steps backward. For this cycle to end, it will be necessary, nay imperative, to start more…3 Sep, 2024
PATA breaks new ground with media briefing at Foreign Press club
Bangkok - The PATA Travel Mart 2024 broke new ground on Aug 27 by holding the opening media briefing at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. It was the first time since PATA's move to Bangkok in 1998 that both the Chairman and CEO of the Asia-Pacific region's leading Travel more…2 Sep, 2024
Some tips for Nepal tourism on how to achieve a broader purpose
Bangkok -- One of the pleasures of attending the PATA Travel Mart 2024 in Bangkok between Aug 27-29 was the opportunity to catch up with PATA veterans, whose numbers sadly are dwindling. One of them was PATA Vice Chairman Suman Pandey, President, Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure. In a reversal of more…26 Aug, 2024
Siam Society launches study trip to highlight Thai “melting pot” culture
Bangkok -- Thailand's pre-eminent culture and heritage institution, The Siam Society, has launched its first study trip of prominent "melting pot" sites within Bangkok and its environs. Targetted at serious connoisseurs of ASEAN Cultural Heritage, the four-day trip priced at 36,000 baht will open the way for the itinerary to more…20 Aug, 2024
Touring Local Wisdom and Soft Power in Northeast Thailand
A study trip organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the diplomatic corps and media to Northeast Thailand in early August was appropriately themed: "The Charm of Isaan: Transforming Local Wisdom into Creative Economy.” Participants were transported back in time to an era when simplicity, carbon-neutrality, organic and herb-based more…4 Aug, 2024
Thai Minister gives Israeli Ambassador a valuable tip to achieve tourism success
Bangkok -- Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports has given the Israeli ambassador a dignified lesson in tourism promotion, telling her that Thailand remains committed to attracting visitors on the basis of equality and safety for all, regardless of religion, belief or nationality. This is the way the July 31 meeting more…28 Jul, 2024
Thai tourism on track to hit 50 million by 2028 – IF peace prevails
Bangkok - Thailand's tourism comeback forged ahead in the first half of 2024 with 17.5 million arrivals, up 35% over 12.9 million in the first half 2023. Thai tourism is on track to regain the 2019 level of 40 million this year and hit 50 million by 2028, only IF more…23 Jul, 2024
Political, economic conditions a bigger concern than technology, sustainability, ITB Berlin survey shows
Bangkok -- More than 60% of the respondents to a survey by ITB Berlin fear “political and economic conditions” will have a bigger impact on business than either technology or climate change. The response has paved the way for a long-overdue shift in the focus of discussion at the world’s more…22 Jul, 2024
Iconic samlor ignites Thai Soft Power on popular walking street in Kobe, Japan
Kobe, Japan – This distinctive Thai icon, the samlor, is “parked” right outside the sole Thai restaurant on the popular walking street in Kobe, Japan. Seen by thousands of tourists and locals every day, it is a living example of how Thai creativity ignites the Thai Soft Power brand abroad more…17 Jul, 2024
Thailand’s epic contribution to global Peace and Wisdom via Buddhist teachings
Bangkok -- Buddhist scholars worldwide will hail Thailand's epic contribution to the understanding and study of the faith with the global dissemination of a rare phonetic transcription of the Tipitaka, a vast and complex collection of the Lord Buddha's teachings. On 16 July, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited Ambassadors more…10 Jul, 2024
TAT flags politics as a threat to the future of Thai tourism
Bangkok - The Tourism Authority of Thailand has publicly recognised global geopolitics as a threat to the future of tourism in the post-Covid era. Officially posted by the TAT Governor Mrs Thapanee Kiatphaibool on her Facebook page on 08 July 2024, the official recognition of this threat paves the way more…25 Jun, 2024
Award-winning images highlight link between ASEAN tourism and sustainability
Bangkok -- Ten spectacular photographs capturing the natural and cultural beauty of Thailand and the ASEAN countries have won awards in a competition organised by the Confederation of Thai Journalists (CTJ). Five awards were for the ASEAN countries, and another five for entries from Thailand. The winners were conferred their awards more…21 Jun, 2024
Tourism-deprived South Thailand Provinces expect better days with improved road, air access
Narathiwat Province, South Thailand -- The South Thailand provinces of Pattani and Narathiwat are pretty much at the bottom of the heap in terms of tourism. That is set to change over the next three years thanks to upcoming improvements in road and air accessibility. An upgrading of Narathiwat airport more…19 Jun, 2024
Thailand continues converting battlefields into trading fields, this time in the South
Pattani Province, South Thailand -- In the 1980s, after the end of the Indochina wars of the 1970s, Thailand forged a policy of "converting battlefields into trading fields", making the kingdom a hub of travel, trade and transportation for the Greater Mekong Subregion countries of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. As more…16 Jun, 2024
Elegant Holy Quran museum is Thailand’s Best Kept Secret
Narathiwat Province, South Thailand — It is arguably Thailand’s best kept secret. Muslim visitors to Thailand will be fascinated by the collection of magnificent Holy Qurans and historic artefacts exhibited in the Museum of Islamic Cultural Heritage and Al-Quran Learning Centre in Narathiwat, the country’s southernmost province, about 1,140 kilometres more…15 Jun, 2024
Thai-Muslim women on the move as peace gains ground in South Thailand
Pattani Province, South Thailand -- One of the biggest positive impacts of the slow but steady onset of peace in South Thailand is the emergence of a new generation of female entrepreneurs. This was more than apparent during a June 11-13 familiarisation trip organised for members of the diplomatic corps more…8 Jun, 2024
People I Meet: Real-life Stories from Grassroots Tourism Workers in Khao Lak
Khao Lak, Phang-nga Province, South Thailand -- Tourism is all about people. But how often do we hear from the rank-and-file, blue collar employees who are supposed to be the main beneficiaries of tourism? At the Thailand Travel Mart Plus in the beach resort of Khao Lak between 5-7 June 2024, more…17 May, 2024
“Mother of the Bride” joins list of hit films made in Thailand
Bangkok - Thailand's status as a film-making hub has taken a major leap forward with the release of "Mother of the Bride", a mushy 90-minute Netflix production that was panned by critics but hit 27 million views in the first four days. Mr Bill Heinecke, Chairman of Minor Hotels group, more…15 May, 2024
As fires threaten the PATA region, who will stop the pyromaniacs?
The PATA Annual Summit opens in Macau today, May 15, with the usual fanfare that has accompanied such events. Delegate numbers have crossed the projected targets. The programme is “guaranteeing a wealth of enriching experiences, including dynamic plenary sessions, participative roundtables & breakout sessions.” A rash of images will be more…10 May, 2024
Israel pulled out of the ATM Dubai. So did I. Here’s why.
Bangkok -- In 2023, Israel was present at the Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai. So was I. This year, Israel gave it a miss. So did I. For pretty much the same reasons, I would think. It does not take much to figure why Israel was absent at this year's ATM more…1 May, 2024
As the global Arms Bazaar booms, Travel & Tourism pays the price
Bangkok -- On 23 April 2024, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published its annual World Military Expenditure report for 2023. It showed that the Arms Bazaar raked in $2,443 billion, the highest level ever. The figure was up 6.8% over 2022, up for the 9th consecutive year and more…29 Apr, 2024
Exclusive Lectures on How Visit Thailand Year 1987 Revolutionised Global Tourism
In 1987, Thailand marked the auspicious 60th birthday of His Majesty the late King Rama IX the Great with an extraordinary national celebration known as Visit Thailand Year. It was a grand invitation for visitors worldwide to join the Thai people in marking the King's historic 5th 12-year cycle of more…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 more…21 Apr, 2024
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