On July 21, 2025, Thailand’s Tourism Authority joined 20 public and private sector organisations in signing a Letter of Intent to advance sustainable tourism practices nationwide by 2030.
BANGKOK — The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), alongside 20 key partners from both government and industry, has formally committed to advancing sustainable tourism practices with the aim of achieving specific goals by the year 2030. The joint Letter of Intent, signed on July 21, 2025, marks a coordinated effort to align Thailand’s tourism sector with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adapting them into targeted actions under Thailand’s own Sustainable Tourism Goals (STGs).
The agreement serves as a framework for a unified national strategy to improve environmental stewardship, social equity, economic resilience, and good governance across Thailand’s tourism landscape. It also supports TAT’s Strategic Direction 2026, which emphasises sustainability as a core principle in shaping the future of the sector.
Participating organisations have pledged to prioritise climate action, reduce emissions, increase resource efficiency, and elevate community-based tourism initiatives. The STGs aim to balance tourism’s economic potential with environmental limits and the well-being of local communities, ensuring inclusive benefits and long-term viability.
To translate the commitment into measurable outcomes, participating agencies have identified specific projects. The Department of Tourism (DOT) will lead the implementation of the Thailand Green Plan 2030, aiming to upgrade 100 tourism sites to international sustainability standards. The Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) will work to enhance hotel sustainability in Phuket through the Green Hotel Plus initiative.
TAT itself will expand support for sustainability certification using existing tools such as the STGs STAR system, the Carbon Footprint Hotels Platform, and the Thailand Tourism Awards, which recognise best practices in responsible tourism.
Although the Letter of Intent is not legally binding, it establishes a shared roadmap for collaboration between 2026 and 2027. The agreement is valid for one year from the date of signing and may be renewed by mutual consent. Regular joint reviews will assess the progress of participating organisations.
While the announcement was spearheaded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, it includes the involvement of a broad coalition: eight government bodies and thirteen organisations from the private sector and civil society. Among them are the Department of Tourism, Department of Climate Change and Environment, Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization, and private firms such as Central Group, Dusit Thani, and Minor International.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool reiterated the agency’s central role in steering Thailand toward a more resilient and inclusive tourism future, stating that the initiative represents “a decisive step” in embedding sustainability into all levels of the country’s tourism development.