Thailand strengthens global leadership in sustainable tourism | News
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with strategic partners, successfully completed the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2026 in Phuket from April 21 to 24, 2026. The event reinforced Thailand’s role as a proactive contributor to the international sustainability agenda, demonstrating the strength of the country’s unified, cross-sector tourism efforts, which include national and local government, the MICE industry and civil society.
The conference was officially opened on April 22 by Mr Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, together with Ms Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, and Mr Luigi Cabrini, Chairman of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The farewell dinner on April 23 marked the handover of the GSTC 2027 hosting flag to Nassau, Bahamas Islands, followed by post-conference tours on April 24, focusing on Phuket’s social regeneration, marine life, urban heritage, the coexistence of people and nature, and community stewardship.
Ms Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, said: “The successful completion of GSTC 2026 in Phuket marks a defining moment for Thailand’s sustainable tourism journey. This conference demonstrated that Thailand not only hosted a world-class international event, but also led meaningful conversations that shaped the future of the industry. The deep knowledge exchange – in hospitality, destination management and community resilience – reinforces our commitment to value-driven tourism that delivers lasting benefits to destinations and local Thai communities.”
The conference, held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town and Kata Thani Beach Resort and Spa, welcomed more than 660 delegates from 60 countries, including policy makers, international organizations, tourism leaders, academics and sustainability experts.
The program focused on three pillars: Sustainable Hospitality, Resilient Cities and Communities, Carrying Capacity and Visitor Distribution Management. The sessions covered climate change, visitor distribution, elephant welfare in tourism, marine conservation through the Green Fins standard, food sourcing and waste reduction, accessibility in the hospitality industry and the integration of sustainability data.
More than 60 speakers from across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas and beyond contributed to plenary sessions, panel discussions and workshops.
Delegates also participated in an on-site consultation workshop for the revision of the GSTC Destination Standard and reviewed the findings of Phuket’s GSTC Destination Assessment (October 2024-September 2025). This review highlighted progress in sustainable management, socio-economic impact, cultural conservation and environmental management.
Before the main conference, participants took part in professional training sessions on Sustainable Tourism, Sustainable MICE and Sustainable Attractions on April 19 and 20, in addition to auditor training on the GSTC Hotel Standard and GSTC Destination Standard. The 4th GSTC Academic Symposium on April 21 brought together researchers and practitioners to discuss emerging challenges.
The conference program kicked off on April 21 with a welcome dinner at Blue Elephant Phuket, welcoming global delegates, diplomats and tourism leaders. Framed by ‘New Generation Symphony’, the evening featured a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, alongside contemporary performances, local cuisine and upcycled showcases, with an emphasis on culture, community and sustainable tourism.
The four-day event maintained strict sustainability practices, including no single-use plastics, minimal printing, recyclable materials and fully vegetarian and vegan menus. Organizers, in partnership with BIC Event and TCEB, calculated and offset the conference’s carbon footprint, pledging to plant one tree per participant through Australian social enterprise Reforest.
Recordings of plenary sessions and photos of events are available on the GSTC’s Facebook and YouTube channels, and full session material appears on the GSTC website.
GSTC 2026 was a joint effort between the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, TAT, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Phuket Province and the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation (STDF), reflecting a shared national commitment to advancing sustainable tourism standards in line with global best practices.
