Reimagining The Sustainable Future Of Thailand’s Hospitality Industry 

The global tourism industry is undergoing a monumental shift, marked by a rapid transition towards more sustainable practices. The shift towards sustainability in tourism is not just a response to increasing regulatory and consumer pressures but a proactive approach to securing the future of the sector and the environments and communities it depends upon.  

The transition to a sustainable tourism model presents multifaceted challenges, including environmental degradation, economic vulnerabilities, and socio-cultural disruptions. With Thailand’s economy based around the tourism industry, is the country set to overcome challenges and capitalise on opportunities for sustainable growth? 

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM? 

The concept of sustainable tourism, as defined by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is "tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities." This comprehensive definition underscores the need for a holistic consideration of the impacts generated by tourism activities, particularly within the hotel sector. For hotel operators, adopting sustainability means operating with careful regard for nature's carrying capacity, supporting the engagement and needs of local communities, distributing economic benefits equitably, and delivering valuable experiences to visiting tourists, which includes design that aligns with local architecture and the use of local materials. 

The transition to sustainable practices in the hospitality sector is no longer an option but a global imperative. This drive stems from escalating environmental concerns and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The tourism industry is responsible for approximately 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and this figure is projected to rise significantly if current trends continue. This stark forecast highlights the critical responsibility of hotels to mitigate their environmental footprint. Sustainable tourism contributes directly to several SDGs, especially SDG 8.9, which focuses on devising and implementing policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. Furthermore, SDG 12.b calls for the development and implementation of tools to monitor the impacts of sustainable development for tourism. 

A MAJOR DRIVER OF THAILAND’S ECONOMY 

The current situation further emphasises this urgency. Following the pandemic crisis, the revenue of the tourism sector in Thailand, whose economy significantly depends on tourism, plummeted from US$90 billion in 2019 to US$24 billion in 2020. However, it has steadily increased and have reached US$55 billion in 2024. While it may not have reached pre-pandemic levels, this massive return of tourists means the industry's impacts, both positive and negative, will intensify. Therefore, balancing growth with sustainability will be critical in 2025 and beyond. 

At the Thailand Tourism Forum 2025 with the theme “Will Travellers Pay for a Better World? Rethinking Value in Responsible Tourism”, several tourism experts have highlighted the growing trend of responsible travel.  

The Government is not only aiming to position the country as a world-class destination, declaring this year as “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year” to attract more visitors, emphasis is being placed on sustainable tourism development, ensuring minimal environmental impact. This includes enhancing existing tourist sites and creating new destinations that align with sustainability principles, complemented by appropriate infrastructure improvements. 

As recently as July 2025, various key organisations signed an agreement that outlined a cross-sector commitment to advance the STGs by 2030 through joint frameworks guiding policies and actions for 2026–2027. It promotes emissions reduction, resource efficiency, biodiversity protection, and improved management standards across economic, social, environmental, and governance dimensions, with equity and local participation at the core. This collaboration aims to become a national model for inclusive, sustainable tourism that aligns with the SDGs. 

Global Framework for Action: Towards GSTC Standards and the Glasgow Declaration 

One of many different global frameworks that can support Thailand’s sustainable tourism industry is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification. 

GSTC has created a set of global criteria that serve as a fundamental guideline for hotels and tourism businesses to operate sustainably. The criteria are divided into four main pillars: (A) Sustainable Management, (B) Socio-economic Impacts, (C) Cultural Impacts, and (D) Environmental Impacts. 

In parallel, the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism was launched in 2021 to specifically accelerate climate action, in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement. It sets out five key pathways that act as a roadmap for hotel operators: 

Consumer-Driven Momentum: The Rising Demand for Sustainability 

A clear shift in traveler attitudes is evident, according to Booking.com's 2025 survey: 

This data is a clear signal that sustainability has become a key factor in travelers' decision-making processes for accommodation and services. Sustainability is no longer a choice—it is a necessity for all Thai hotels. For example, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven accommodation searches and Booking.com’s filter system automatically exclude hotels that do not meet sustainability criteria. 

Thus, hotels in Thailand must invest in adapting to international standards to remain competitive. This is particularly crucial in global markets, where travellers increasingly prefer hotels that are both sustainable and trustworthy. 

DOES BUREAU VERITAS HELP WITH GSTC CERTIFICATION? 

As of 1 Jan 2025, Bureau Veritas has certified more than 376 hotels and tour operators, and such numbers increased rapidly. 

We have enabled Centara Hotels & Resorts, a leading Southeast Asian hotel group, to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable tourism practices since 2022. The certification process validated Centara's efforts in reducing energy and water consumption, supporting local communities, and implementing sustainable practices across its portfolio of hotels and resorts, showcasing Bureau Veritas' expertise in driving responsible tourism initiatives. 

Enhancing business competitiveness through globally recognised certifications that lend credibility to sustainability endeavours  as an independent, professional, and transparent partner, industry players like yourself can leverage our global network and profound technical expertise for us to deliver innovative solutions that ensure your assets, products, infrastructure, and processes adhere to stringent quality, health, safety, environmental, and social responsibility standards to drive performance improvement. 

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