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The upcoming 2025 Global Meaningful Travel Summit, a collaborative effort between Tourism Cares and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), is poised to highlight Thailand's commitment to sustainable and community-centric tourism. This event, held in Bangkok and Krabi, will bring together industry leaders to discuss and implement strategies for responsible travel, focusing on local impact, educational exchange, immersive experiences, and actionable pledges for a more sustainable future in tourism.

Global Meaningful Travel Summit Illuminates Sustainable Tourism in Thailand

In a significant move to champion sustainable tourism, the non-profit organization Tourism Cares and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are co-hosting the 2025 Global Meaningful Travel Summit. This week-long event, unfolding across the vibrant cities of Bangkok and the serene landscapes of Krabi, Thailand, marks a pivotal moment for the global travel industry.

Scheduled to welcome more than 40 influential figures from the travel and tourism sector, including executives, advisors, media representatives, and industry associations, the summit is designed to foster a rich exchange of insights and solidify commitments towards advancing responsible travel practices. As the designated host destination for 2025, Thailand is set to underscore its leadership in promoting community-based and sustainable tourism models.

This year marks the fifth iteration of the Tourism Cares Global Meaningful Travel Summit, an initiative consistently dedicated to bolstering sustainable supply chain development and creating new avenues for local enterprises. A core objective of the summit is to enlighten the industry on ethical standards and exemplary practices in sustainable tourism.

During the summit, Tourism Cares and TAT are placing a strong emphasis on four critical pillars:

• Community Impact: Showcasing how various Thai organizations are leveraging tourism to generate positive environmental, cultural, and social benefits.
• Educational Exchange: Addressing global sustainability challenges through a local lens, featuring Thai experts and panelists who are at the forefront of destination stewardship, cultural preservation, and responsible travel advocacy.
• Immersive Experiences: Facilitating direct connections between travel trade professionals and local partners through engaging tours and visits within Bangkok and Krabi.
• Pledge-Driven Outcomes: Encouraging participants to commit to tangible actions that will drive lasting positive change within their companies and the destinations they engage with.

A key theme of the Global Meaningful Travel Summit is the evolving dynamic of public-private collaborations between governmental bodies, the travel industry, and various suppliers. Grassroots organizations, small businesses, and representatives from Thailand's tourism sector will share invaluable practical knowledge on stewardship and the essence of meaningful travel. At the conclusion of the program, attendees will be tasked with formulating concrete takeaways and commitments to enhance their business operations and propel the sustainability agenda forward.

Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares, expressed his enthusiasm: "We are thrilled to bring our Global Meaningful Travel Summit to Asia for the first time, especially to Thailand—a nation where community-led initiatives are integral to its sustainable tourism strategy. From Krabi's coastal villages to Bangkok's eco-conscious businesses, Thai communities are innovatively utilizing tourism to create economic, environmental, and cultural impact. This summit will highlight their invaluable work and inspire our partners to build purposeful travel, fostering an equitable tourism model that benefits all."

Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub, Deputy Governor for International Marketing Europe, the Americas, Middle East & Africa at TAT, added: "Thailand is honored to partner with Tourism Cares for the 2025 Global Meaningful Travel Summit. This gathering underscores our shared dedication to advancing sustainability and demonstrates how community-led tourism can safeguard our cultural heritage, protect natural resources, and ensure travel's benefits reach all communities. We are proud to welcome global partners to experience these initiatives firsthand."

Over the past two years, TAT has intensified its commitment to sustainable tourism by collaborating with Tourism Cares on initiatives designed to create a lasting positive impact across the country. In 2023, TAT launched the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map of Thailand, a comprehensive guide featuring vetted, sustainable enterprises, products, services, accommodations, and tours. Today, this map includes over 45 organizations dedicated to cultural heritage, environmental conservation, and regenerative practices. As part of the Global Summit, attendees will engage with several featured partners through immersive experiences, including the Bang Korbua Community Tourism Club, Ban Nai Nang Community, Laem Sak Community, Patom Organic Living, Poomjai Garden, and the Varana Hotel.

John Sutherland, Senior Director of Community Impact at Tourism Cares, remarked: "The partners highlighted on the Meaningful Travel Map of Thailand are central to this Summit. In Krabi, communities like Baan Nai Nang and Laem Sak exemplify how local leadership can uplift entire communities—preserving cultural traditions, restoring natural resources, and generating new opportunities through tourism. These impact partners demonstrate that when tourism is developed by and for local people, it becomes a powerful force for resilience and regeneration, benefiting everyone. We eagerly anticipate spotlighting these organizations and immersing ourselves in 'The Land of Smiles.'"

The Tourism Cares 2025 Global Meaningful Travel Summit is made possible by the generous support of Alexander + Roberts, Accor, Bob Whitley Memorial Fund, Intrepid, Kaleidoscope Adventures, National Tour Association (NTA), and Travel Answers.

This summit serves as a powerful reminder that tourism, when approached with responsibility and a deep understanding of local contexts, can be a formidable engine for positive change. By focusing on community empowerment, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship, the event not only educates industry professionals but also inspires concrete actions that promise a more equitable and sustainable future for travel worldwide. It underscores the idea that meaningful travel is not just about visiting places, but about making a lasting, beneficial impact on them.