Thailand is falling behind in the race for sustainable tourism, industry leaders warned at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2025, held on 7 May in Bangkok.
Alisara Sivayathorn, CEO of Sivatel Bangkok Hotel, pointed to a troubling statistic: fewer than 1 percent of hotels in Thailand currently meet international sustainability standards.
The forum, “Will Travellers Pay for a Better World? Rethinking Value in Responsible Tourism,” spotlighted the growing demand for eco-conscious travel and the need for the Thai tourism sector to catch up.
Speakers emphasized that responsible tourism is no longer a niche trend but a global expectation, especially as regulators, particularly in Europe, begin to tighten requirements.
Sustainable tourism spans four main pillars: sustainable management, socio-economic impact, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. These principles guide efforts to cut pollution, conserve biodiversity, and use resources responsibly.
But despite mounting international pressure, progress in Thailand remains slow. According to the Siam Commercial Bank Economic Intelligence Center, just 109 hotels nationwide have achieved certification aligned with global sustainability benchmarks. That represents less than 1 percent of the country’s hotel stock.
The consequences are becoming more immediate. As booking platforms and AI-driven tools increasingly prioritize certified properties, hotels that fail to meet standards risk being sidelined from lucrative segments like business travel and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).
Public Interest Grows, but Businesses Lag Behind
Despite the lack of readiness among businesses, Thai travelers themselves are becoming more environmentally aware. Between 2024 and 2025, online conversations around plastic reduction and waste management surged, appearing in more than 6,800 social media posts with over 1.2 million engagements.
Surveys show that 65 percent of Thai tourists say they are willing to pay more for sustainable travel experiences, and 62 percent would pay extra specifically to avoid single-use plastics. Still, affordability remains a key factor. Many consumers continue to choose cheaper, less sustainable options when eco-friendly alternatives are inconvenient or unavailable.
Laos Makes Strides Toward Certification
While Thailand struggles to meet benchmarks, neighboring Laos is being recognized on the global stage.
In March, Luang Prabang won third place in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards for “Destination Management” at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin. The award recognized the city’s achievements in sustainable visitor management and post-crisis recovery.
Now, Luang Prabang is taking the next step. On 15 May, officials held a consultation at the provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism to prepare for Green Destination certification.
Soudaphone Khomthavong, head of the department, called on stakeholders to offer input to strengthen the application. Certification would elevate the city’s global standing and reinforce its World Heritage credentials.
Tourism remains a key pillar of the local economy. In the past year alone, more than 2.3 million domestic and international visitors traveled to Luang Prabang, generating over USD 1.2 billion in revenue. Top attractions include Kuangsi Waterfall, Mount Phousi, Wat Xieng Thong, and the popular night market.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Thailand-Falls-Behind-in-Sustainable-Tourism-as-Laos-Wins-Global-Praise.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-06-02 10:48:002025-05-26 10:50:38Thailand Falls Behind in Sustainable Tourism as Laos Wins Global Praise
Luang Prabang is taking steps to further enhance its tourism sector by exploring the possibility of receiving the prestigious Tourism Destination Award from the Green Destinations Organization.
The Green Destinations Organization supports sustainable tourism by recognizing cities and countries that meet key criteria, including environmental protection, support for local communities, and responsible travel practices.
On 15 May, provincial authorities held a consultation meeting to step up efforts to make Luang Prabang a leading example of sustainable tourism. The meeting focused on finalizing key documents and ensuring that all requirements are met, particularly in demonstrating how tourism is managed in a way that protects the environment and benefits local residents.
To support this plan, provincial leaders are encouraging various sectors to provide relevant data and ideas to strengthen the application. The province also hopes to welcome around 2.3 million visitors in 2025.
Officials aim to transform Luang Prabang into a modern, high-quality tourist destination that is well-connected regionally and globally by 2029, according to Soudaphone Khomthavong, Head of the Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism.
In March, Luang Prabang was honored with the 2025 Green Destinations Top 100 Story Award in the category of “Destination Management,” securing third place. The award was presented at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_0014.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-05-30 10:46:312025-05-26 10:48:05Luang Prabang Pushes for Green Destination Certification to Boost Sustainable Tourism
Every year on 21 May, tea lovers across the globe raise their cups in celebration of International Tea Day, a nod to one of the oldest and most loved drinks in the world.
From Asia to Africa and the Americas, tea is more than just a beverage. It’s a tradition, comfort, and a shared experience across cultures.
Tea’s history stretches back thousands of years, beginning in ancient China. Over time, it spread across continents, shaping rituals in Japan, sparking revolutions in the West, and becoming a daily comfort for millions.
While the world often hears about the big tea players like China, India, and Sri Lanka, there’s a quieter, lesser-known tea story brewing in the mountains of the north Laos.
In Phongsaly Province, tea has grown for hundreds of years. The world’s oldest plantation, now 400 years old, reaches up to six meters in height, is located about 18km from Phongsaly Town, and carefully harvested by the Phunoy ethnic group, who have passed down their traditional techniques through generations.
The cool, misty mountains of northern Laos create ideal conditions for growing rich, organic tea. Handpicked and traditionally processed, Lao teas are popular across the region for their bold, earthy flavors and smooth finish.
In recent years, tea cultivation in Laos has expanded significantly. The majority, over 85 percent, is grown in northern provinces such as Phongsaly, Xiengkhouang, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Xayabouly, and Houaphanh. Southern provinces like Champasak and Xekong have also joined the movement.
Fresh tea leaves are primarily sold to local traders, around 80 percent of whom are Chinese, before being exported mainly to China’s Yunnan Province.
Smaller quantities also reach regional and European markets, including France and Germany.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DID-YOU-KNOW.-that-the-worlds-oldest-tea-plantation-is-in-Laos-Can-you-guess-where-1-2048x1070-1.jpg10702048Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-05-29 10:43:272025-05-26 10:45:59Laos Celebrates Its Ancient Tea Legacy on International Tea Day
Thailand Falls Behind in Sustainable Tourism as Laos Wins Global Praise
Thailand is falling behind in the race for sustainable tourism, industry leaders warned at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2025, held on 7 May in Bangkok.
Alisara Sivayathorn, CEO of Sivatel Bangkok Hotel, pointed to a troubling statistic: fewer than 1 percent of hotels in Thailand currently meet international sustainability standards.
The forum, “Will Travellers Pay for a Better World? Rethinking Value in Responsible Tourism,” spotlighted the growing demand for eco-conscious travel and the need for the Thai tourism sector to catch up.
Speakers emphasized that responsible tourism is no longer a niche trend but a global expectation, especially as regulators, particularly in Europe, begin to tighten requirements.
Sustainable tourism spans four main pillars: sustainable management, socio-economic impact, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. These principles guide efforts to cut pollution, conserve biodiversity, and use resources responsibly.
But despite mounting international pressure, progress in Thailand remains slow. According to the Siam Commercial Bank Economic Intelligence Center, just 109 hotels nationwide have achieved certification aligned with global sustainability benchmarks. That represents less than 1 percent of the country’s hotel stock.
The consequences are becoming more immediate. As booking platforms and AI-driven tools increasingly prioritize certified properties, hotels that fail to meet standards risk being sidelined from lucrative segments like business travel and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).
Public Interest Grows, but Businesses Lag Behind
Despite the lack of readiness among businesses, Thai travelers themselves are becoming more environmentally aware. Between 2024 and 2025, online conversations around plastic reduction and waste management surged, appearing in more than 6,800 social media posts with over 1.2 million engagements.
Surveys show that 65 percent of Thai tourists say they are willing to pay more for sustainable travel experiences, and 62 percent would pay extra specifically to avoid single-use plastics. Still, affordability remains a key factor. Many consumers continue to choose cheaper, less sustainable options when eco-friendly alternatives are inconvenient or unavailable.
Laos Makes Strides Toward Certification
While Thailand struggles to meet benchmarks, neighboring Laos is being recognized on the global stage.
In March, Luang Prabang won third place in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards for “Destination Management” at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin. The award recognized the city’s achievements in sustainable visitor management and post-crisis recovery.
Now, Luang Prabang is taking the next step. On 15 May, officials held a consultation at the provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism to prepare for Green Destination certification.
Soudaphone Khomthavong, head of the department, called on stakeholders to offer input to strengthen the application. Certification would elevate the city’s global standing and reinforce its World Heritage credentials.
Tourism remains a key pillar of the local economy. In the past year alone, more than 2.3 million domestic and international visitors traveled to Luang Prabang, generating over USD 1.2 billion in revenue. Top attractions include Kuangsi Waterfall, Mount Phousi, Wat Xieng Thong, and the popular night market.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/22/thailand-falls-behind-in-sustainable-tourism-as-laos-wins-global-praise/
Luang Prabang Pushes for Green Destination Certification to Boost Sustainable Tourism
Luang Prabang is taking steps to further enhance its tourism sector by exploring the possibility of receiving the prestigious Tourism Destination Award from the Green Destinations Organization.
The Green Destinations Organization supports sustainable tourism by recognizing cities and countries that meet key criteria, including environmental protection, support for local communities, and responsible travel practices.
On 15 May, provincial authorities held a consultation meeting to step up efforts to make Luang Prabang a leading example of sustainable tourism. The meeting focused on finalizing key documents and ensuring that all requirements are met, particularly in demonstrating how tourism is managed in a way that protects the environment and benefits local residents.
To support this plan, provincial leaders are encouraging various sectors to provide relevant data and ideas to strengthen the application. The province also hopes to welcome around 2.3 million visitors in 2025.
Officials aim to transform Luang Prabang into a modern, high-quality tourist destination that is well-connected regionally and globally by 2029, according to Soudaphone Khomthavong, Head of the Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism.
In March, Luang Prabang was honored with the 2025 Green Destinations Top 100 Story Award in the category of “Destination Management,” securing third place. The award was presented at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/21/luang-prabang-pushes-for-green-destination-certification-to-boost-sustainable-tourism/
Laos Celebrates Its Ancient Tea Legacy on International Tea Day
Every year on 21 May, tea lovers across the globe raise their cups in celebration of International Tea Day, a nod to one of the oldest and most loved drinks in the world.
From Asia to Africa and the Americas, tea is more than just a beverage. It’s a tradition, comfort, and a shared experience across cultures.
Tea’s history stretches back thousands of years, beginning in ancient China. Over time, it spread across continents, shaping rituals in Japan, sparking revolutions in the West, and becoming a daily comfort for millions.
While the world often hears about the big tea players like China, India, and Sri Lanka, there’s a quieter, lesser-known tea story brewing in the mountains of the north Laos.
In Phongsaly Province, tea has grown for hundreds of years. The world’s oldest plantation, now 400 years old, reaches up to six meters in height, is located about 18km from Phongsaly Town, and carefully harvested by the Phunoy ethnic group, who have passed down their traditional techniques through generations.
The cool, misty mountains of northern Laos create ideal conditions for growing rich, organic tea. Handpicked and traditionally processed, Lao teas are popular across the region for their bold, earthy flavors and smooth finish.
In recent years, tea cultivation in Laos has expanded significantly. The majority, over 85 percent, is grown in northern provinces such as Phongsaly, Xiengkhouang, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Xayabouly, and Houaphanh. Southern provinces like Champasak and Xekong have also joined the movement.
Fresh tea leaves are primarily sold to local traders, around 80 percent of whom are Chinese, before being exported mainly to China’s Yunnan Province.
Smaller quantities also reach regional and European markets, including France and Germany.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/21/laos-celebrates-its-ancient-tea-legacy-on-international-tea-day/