Sustainable Tourism: Thailand's Heart and Earth Campaign Launches!

Sustainable Tourism: Thailand's Heart and Earth Campaign Launches!

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with the Krungthai Card Public Company Limited (KTC) have come up with a very special plan: With the campaign “Travel Thailand, Heal the Heart & Love the Earth” they want to put domestic tourism and sustainability in Thailand on a new course. An ambitious project that should be implemented by the end of 2025. KTC credit card holders can look forward to huge discounts of up to 45% and up to 13% cashback at over 500 certified hotels and tourism companies.

All participating providers not only offer first-class services, but have also received the 14th Thailand Tourism Awards or meet TAT's strict sustainability criteria. The TAT is committed to a long-term strategy that is intended to advance the tourism industry - the goal: stability, sustainability and high-quality experiences for travelers.

Sustainability in focus

The TAT is concerned with three main initiatives to promote sustainable tourism. These include the Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating (STAR), in which 1,251 hotels participate, and the Carbon Footprint Hotels (CF-Hotels), which implement environmentally friendly practices and currently include 725 certified hotels. There are also the Thailand Tourism Awards (Kinaree Awards), which reward 254 particularly outstanding providers.

What is important is that the campaign raises awareness of environmentally friendly travel. Not only tourists benefit, local providers and the economy also strengthen their position. Sustainable tourism is no longer just a trend, it is becoming a necessity for many travelers. Cultural experiences and encounters with locals are more in demand than ever.

Green travel in Thailand

The focus on “green traveling” is becoming particularly important. More and more travelers are looking for environmentally conscious options and want to support local businesses. Cultural experiences and support from local markets help make traveling more conscious and authentic. There are various ecologically conscious accommodations in Thailand that rely on renewable energies and work with local raw materials.

• Soneva Kiri – 5-Sterne Hotel auf Koh Kood
• The Pavilions Anana Krabi – Green Globe zertifiziert
• Eco-Logic Resort – Öko-Bungalows in Ranong
• Keemala – 5-Sterne Resort auf Phuket
• Zeavola Resort – Luxusresort auf Koh Phi Phi

Ecotourism initiatives, such as the commitment to rescue and rehabilitate elephants in sanctuaries, are current topics that are affecting more and more travelers. It is important to educate about the unethical practices like elephant riding and instead promote sustainable alternatives.

The challenges of tourism

However, not all aspects of tourism are positive. The so-called “White Lotus Effect” describes the negative effects of mass tourism, which dramatically increases the cost of living in popular areas. Rental prices in tourist-developed districts have increased by up to 30%. The passionate Yi Peng festival in Chiang Mai is another example of the commercialization of cultural customs.

The Thai government recognizes the problem and has introduced measures to promote sustainable tourism strategies, such as the “Go Green” campaign. Laws have also been passed to protect sensitive ecosystems, such as the three-year closure of the famous Maya Bay to relieve pressure on coral reefs. This makes it abundantly clear that Thailand faces the challenge of finding a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.

In order to be successful in the long term, collaboration between companies, NGOs, communities and government agencies is essential. Anyone who travels sustainably not only contributes to environmental protection, but also supports local communities. For many travelers, it is becoming increasingly important to be responsible when vacationing.

Overall, it can be said: Thailand is working hard to find a balance between tourism and sustainability, and the new partnership between TAT and KTC is a promising step.

For more information about sustainable travel in Thailand, visit the website thaipr.net, urlaubsguru.de and sigmaearth.com.