In Dialog With Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, the Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand –

As a long-standing trusted associate of the Tourism Authority of Thailand UK, The Luxurious Editor’s, Ross Fraser, was invited to fulfill Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, the Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand on the UK agent roadshow in Glasgow earlier this month. That is Tourism Authority of Thailand first UK agent roadshow in 3 years which was hosted in each Manchester and Glasgow.

The importance of the roadshow was additional amplified on condition that the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand is retiring this 12 months and his attendance was to be his closing enterprise journey to the UK.

As Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, please inform us extra about your function – and a typical day if such a factor exists.

No two days are the identical which is an thrilling a part of the job! I spend a whole lot of time travelling round Thailand to fulfill stakeholders but additionally internationally to fulfill commerce companions, media, and attend commerce exhibits – the function is vastly diverse which makes it extraordinarily fascinating.

When within the workplace in Bangkok there’s often a whole lot of paperwork to finish with many approval processes. I chair conferences, hearken to the workforce, work with them to develop home and worldwide campaigns and methods. While some days are spent in parliament, engaged on tourism protocols and securing price range for the tourism business. As they are saying no two days are the identical!

The Sustainable Tourism Targets initiative has been a key precedence for you and Thailand is making spectacular features towards reaching these targets. Please inform us in regards to the journey up to now.

The UNWTO SDG initiative contains 17 clear targets together with agendas resembling poverty, schooling, equality and local weather change (to call a number of) as a part of their 2030 agenda.

TAT’s dedication in direction of sustainable journey is in step with Thailand’s Bio-Round-Inexperienced (BCG) Financial Mannequin and the Sustainable Tourism Purpose (STGs) which is in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Improvement Targets (SDGs). TAT’s STGs technique is to be carried out and rolled out throughout the Thai tourism sector within the run as much as 2030. It will contribute to sustainability in 4 key areas together with socio-economy, tradition and the setting.

We’re working with stakeholders throughout the Thai tourism sector to encourage them to behave extra sustainably. We’re introducing a STAR system the place stakeholders can earn 1 to five stars relying on how proactive they’re in working sustainably. They are going to be incentivized by TAT additionally and people with the very best STAR rankings given one of the best alternatives to work with and be supported by TAT, for instance, attending worldwide commerce exhibits resembling TTM and WTM. Companies should present a proactive strategy and dedication to sustainability. We’ve got a listing of over 2,500 suppliers, from lodging to sights, eating places, tour corporations and transport suppliers, who signed as much as and certified below TAT’s SHA program (Security & Well being Administration throughout Covid-19) and we intention to maneuver them over to the brand new STAR program as leaders in tourism companies who’re striving to be one of the best.

If / how has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted TATs sustainability journey?

Covid had an enormous monetary and financial impression on governments and companies – with much less money circulation and sadly some companies needed to shut fully. It has been tough to fund sustainability practices – as they aren’t low-cost and require a major degree of funding – companies want money circulation once more and in Thailand, this comes from tourism earnings.

Simply as we had been ruling out single-use plastics and turning a nook when it comes to progress (some examples embrace; plastic being banned from nationwide parks, and plenty of lodges implementing waste administration guidelines) then, for well being causes using masks and single-use objects to minimise the unfold of Covid got here, the throwaway tradition returned, nevertheless we are actually returning to cut back, reuse and recycle mindset and importantly educating youthful generations too and we’re working onerous to develop a brand new tourism ecosystem – one that may be a resilient tourism business with a give attention to high-value travellers to whom sustainable tourism is essential.

Nevertheless, the Covid pandemic additionally created some positives too. Usually, it has made many extra individuals conscious of sustainability points and fast-tracked it to the forefront of dialog.

And a sudden international lockdown highlighted the difficulty of over-tourism and compelled us to fastidiously contemplate the right way to re-start journey with out overloading locations once more – it was the right time for tourism to reset.

We additionally famous optimistic modifications in client behaviour, together with a shift in direction of home journey (additionally good for economic system and fewer dependency on worldwide arrivals), which resulted in a swap from flying to coach journey and a desire for nature-based experiences and out of doors actions, which could be thought of extra sustainable and likewise helps elevate consciousness of environmental points.

Covid additionally introduced alternatives for innovation in sustainable tourism practices, resembling using know-how for digital excursions and experiences which engages a youthful viewers who’re hooked on know-how!

Thailand is a stupendous and various nation providing guests from all around the world an array of experiences, how essential is the luxurious market to Thailand?

The luxurious market is essential to Thailand. It’s key to our excessive worth technique, welcoming guests who keep longer and spend extra within the economic system and group.

Thailand presents so many wonderful luxurious experiences from lodges and spas to a brand new seaplane service, Siam Seaplane, Michelin star eating and the world class hospitality and repair with a Thai smile that elevates the luxurious expertise in Thailand.

Luxurious for much less can also be essential to us. Thailand presents such good worth for cash that there’s an incredible vary of reasonably priced luxurious lodges and experiences in addition to the everyday luxurious presents for HNWIs making additional particular holidays extra accessible for travellers – for instance, that’s the reason we’re such a well-liked honeymoon vacation spot.

And the way do you foresee the luxurious journey market supporting Thailand’s Sustainable Tourism Targets?

There are such a lot of luxurious lodges in Thailand that they’re key to the technique.

Luxurious journey can play an important function in supporting sustainable tourism practices by selling accountable tourism, environmental stewardship, and group improvement. Luxurious journey suppliers have the chance to guide by instance and set the requirements for sustainable tourism practices within the business.

We’ve got a whole lot of huge international manufacturers investing in Thailand e.g. 4 Seasons in addition to rich buyers constructing luxurious boutique lodges who’ve the funds to spend money on schooling and improvement and cleared the path in enhancing infrastructure, operations and coaching for employees to make sure sustainable practices.

They’ve the chance to make use of extra workers too – larger lodges typically require extra workers but additionally smaller boutique lodges make use of greater numbers of workers to make sure one of the best hospitality expertise which creates extra job alternatives in native communities.

Offering philanthropic alternatives can also be a key space that the luxurious sector can help. For instance, luxurious journey suppliers can create alternatives for travellers to take part in philanthropic efforts, resembling supporting native faculties or group initiatives, or contributing to environmental conservation efforts.

What’s new and funky in Thailand?

There are many new lodges throughout the nation from stylish manufacturers like The Normal to luxurious names such like 4 Seasons and plenty of impartial boutique lodges too – a lot selection.

The Michelin Information – is nice for exploring Thai delicacies and sampling high-quality worldwide meals – from tremendous eating to road meals the Michelin Information is showcasing new areas and methods to discover Thailand. This 12 months we’ve been selling the easter area of Isan and subsequent 12 months we’ll launch Koh Samui to hitch Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Phang Nga guides.

Wellness is an enormous focus. Extra of us are health-conscious and Thailand has all the time led the way in which in wellness tourism and spas. With many new resorts not too long ago opening together with Rakxa Bangkok and Aleenta Chiang Mai (learn our information to one of the best luxurious lodges in Thailand right here). From spas to wellness, yoga retreats, and medical tourism – Thailand is the right vacation spot for well being and rejuvenation with new retreats for put up Covid well being restoration and psychological well being.

We’ve got additionally partnered with Netflix to launch thailandtravelmap.com which is a very enjoyable solution to discover Thailand via your favorite Netflix exhibits and naturally, Thailand is a well-liked vacation spot for a lot of actuality TV packages resembling The Solely Means is Essex, Married at First Sight, Actual Housewives and The Bachelor and we have now extra movie crews coming to Thailand this 12 months so watch your screens! The White Lotus is rumoured to be filming sequence 3 in Thailand which is absolutely thrilling.

Luxurious is a extremely subjective time period – what does it imply to you personally?

For me, luxurious is ‘time for your self’. In a fast-paced and busy world, we hardly ever discover time to nourish ourselves. Time to chill out, take pleasure in my hobbies, spend time with my household and journey and expertise new issues is my biggest luxurious.

You might be retiring this 12 months – what legacy will you permit?

My legacy would be the Sustainable Tourism Targets. I’m happy with what we have now achieved up to now and I very a lot stay up for watching the tourism business in Thailand, significantly from a sustainability perspective, develop and flourish.

Lastly, what’s your life motto? You probably have one.

Firstly, have braveness and be sort. And have the braveness of your conviction – you could encounter many defeats in life however don’t be defeated – all the time make sure you be taught out of your errors.