4-6 April 2025, Annual General Meeting of the Thai Responsible Tourism Association 2025
From April 4–6, 2025, the Thai Responsible Tourism Association (TRTA) hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM), bringing together 17 regular members to reflect on progress and chart a course for future sustainability efforts. This year’s AGM was uniquely integrated with a community tourism inspection trip, reinforcing TRTA’s commitment to grassroots capacity-building and responsible tourism development.
Empowering Local Communities Through Sustainable Tourism Development
The inspection trip was conducted under the “Developing the Capacity of Local Communities to Upgrade Community-Based Tourism and Community Products to Sustainability” project. This initiative—led by the Ecotourism Innovation Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, in partnership with the Community-Based Tourism Institute (CBT-i) and TRTA, and supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth)—spans two years across five sub-districts in southern Thailand:
- Thon Hong, Phrom Khiri District, Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Pa Khad, Singhanakhon District, Songkhla
- Tha Kham, Hat Yai District, Songkhla
- Thung Nui, Khuan Kalong District, Satun
- Bala, Kabang District, Yala
Each location has implemented community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives aligned with five key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- People – Upskilling, reskilling, and providing new skills for community members and local authorities.
- Planet – Encouraging environmentally friendly tourism practices and sustainable products.
- Prosperity – Creating jobs and boosting local economies through tourism.
- Peace – Reducing community conflicts and fostering inclusivity in tourism planning.
- Partnership – Promoting participatory management among stakeholders.
Field Visits to Strengthen Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
During the trip, TRTA members explored community tourism activities in Pa Khad, Tha Kham, and Ban Chulabhorn Phatthana 11 in Bala Sub-district, gaining firsthand insight into local tourism operations. They also surveyed historical and cultural tourism sites in Songkhla Old City, fostering collaboration between academics and entrepreneurs. The AGM was held at Rai Thiam Fah, Ban Muang Labu, Patae Sub-district, Yala Province, a model site for responsible tourism research and development, which has been growing under TRTA’s guidance since 2018.
Key Highlights from the 2024-2025 Initiatives
During the AGM, TRTA reviewed and summarized significant tourism development initiatives undertaken in the past year:
- Community-Based Tourism Development: TRTA, along with Prince of Songkla University and CBT-i, continued its mission to enhance the capacity of local communities across five southern provinces, reinforcing sustainable tourism growth for the second consecutive year.
- TourLink Roadshow 2024: A nationwide initiative to align Thailand’s tourism standards with European benchmarks, incorporating Responsible Village Visit Standards (RVVS). Onsite training was conducted in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi.
- Lua Tribe Route Exploration: TRTA joined an assessment of Lua Tribe in Mae Lan Noi and Mae Sariang Districts, with partial funding from Mae Hong Son Community College.
- Chiang Dao Responsible Tourism Routes: Members of the Trek with Jame network developed sustainable tourism routes in collaboration with Thongthin community at Ban Pa Lo (Lahu), Ban Mae Mae, and Ban Mae Sai, Chiang Mai.
- CNVT Trip: Carbon-Neutral Volunteer Tourism: Conducted by Maejo University, this project focuses on low-impact, carbon-conscious tourism, engaging Ban Pha Pang Community in Lampang and Ban Pakia Homestay in Chiang Rai as pilot locations.
- Krabi Responsible Tourism Routes: TRTA allocated 45,000 baht for developing community tourism routes in Ban Na Thung Klang, Ko Klang, Ko Lanta District, promoting sustainable tourism experiences for both Thai and international visitors.
- Indonesia Ecotourism Network Conference: TRTA participated in the ASEAN Ecotourism Conference in Jakarta (Nov 1–3, 2024), expanding regional partnerships with INDECON and other sustainable tourism organizations.
- ITB Berlin 2025 Marketing Conference: TRTA exhibited at Hall 4.1 during the world’s largest travel trade fair (March 4–6, 2025, Berlin, Germany), highlighting community-based responsible tourism to 170+ international tour operators.
