The event convened tourism professionals, destination representatives, academics and sustainability experts to address key challenges and solutions in advancing sustainable tourism. The programme focused on three core themes: sustainable hospitality, resilient cities and communities, and carrying capacity and visitor distribution management.
Prior to the conference, a series of on-site trainings were held on 19–20 April, including the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course in English and Thai, the Sustainable MICE Course, the Sustainable Attraction Course, and auditor trainings on the GSTC Hotel Standard and Destination Standard. This was followed by the 4th GSTC Academic Symposium on 21 April, which brought together researchers and practitioners for discussions on key sector issues.
The Welcome Dinner was held at Blue Elephant Phuket, featuring official greetings, a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother of Thailand, and a traditional dance performance from Southern Thailand. Opening remarks were delivered by representatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Governor of Phuket, and Luigi Cabrini, Chair of GSTC.
The conference opened with speeches from Luigi Cabrini, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, and Thapanee Kiatphaibool. Sessions included presentations by GSTC CEO Randy Durband and Chief Assurance Officer Dr. Mihee Kang, outlining the organisation’s global activities and strategic priorities.
“Tourism is back as an essential activity, a creator of jobs and a tool for development, providing social, economic, and environmental benefits. Sadly, the conflicts that ravage various regions of the world, and in particular the Middle East war, provoke human losses and destruction, and are also impacting tourism flows. Tourism promotes peace, but also needs peace to thrive.” said Luigi Cabrini.
“GSTC acting as a global leader and convening authority for sustainable tourism, driving measurable improvement and accelerating the transition from extractive to sustainable tourism.” he added, concluding, “It is an ambitious task, but we believe it can be achieved, thanks to the recognition, support, and encouragement received by the tourism community, represented by you here with us today.”
The conference included sessions on climate resilience, disaster recovery, growth and livability, sustainability education, hotel waste management, sustainable procurement, accessibility, and slow travel, alongside workshops and consultations on the GSTC Destination Standard.
“Hosting the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2026 in Phuket marks a significant milestone for Thailand as we continue our journey toward becoming a leading sustainable tourism destination on the global stage. This conference reflects our strong commitment to driving tourism development based on the principle of ‘value over volume,’ while ensuring a balanced approach to visitor management and resource preservation.
GSTC 2026 brought together global leaders, policymakers, industry professionals, and sustainability experts to exchange knowledge and best practices, elevating tourism standards in tangible, meaningful ways. It also reinforces Thailand’s role as a proactive contributor to the global sustainability agenda.
We believe this event served not only as a platform for international collaboration but also as a catalyst to strengthen the capabilities of Thai tourism stakeholders, enhance our destination management, and create long-term, sustainable value for local communities, particularly in Phuket and surrounding areas,” said Thapanee Kiatphaibool.
The conference concluded with a farewell dinner featuring a traditional Thai blessing performance. Post-conference tours across Phuket allowed participants to explore local communities, ecosystems, and heritage through themes such as social regeneration and community-based tourism.
Sustainability measures were integrated throughout the event, including carbon footprint calculation and offsetting, tree planting initiatives, reduced use of single-use plastics, digital-first communications, and the use of electric transport. Locally sourced food, reusable materials, and support for local suppliers were also key elements of the conference operations.
Tags: Randy Durband GSTC2026 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference Thapanee Kiatphaibool
