PHUKET’s hosting of the 2026 Global Sustainable Tourism Council conference puts the island province on course to be a global leader among environmentally friendly travel destinations, say Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau officials.
TCEB led the bid to host GSTC 2026 in close cooperation with Phuket Province, the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, TCEB president, said the bid win marked an achievement for Thailand’s MICE industry and placed the country’s MICE industry and Phuket on the global stage for sustainable tourism.
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GSTC 2026 is expected to generate more than 50 million baht (about US$1.3m) in revenue. “Regenerative tourism” is the theme of the event which is set to bring kore than 700 participants from 60 countries. Government agencies, hoteliers, MICE organisers, educational institutions, and NGOs will be among the delegates.
“Hosting GSTC 2026 in Phuket is a great victory [for] Thailand, setting a significant milestone for its sustainable tourism and MICE industries,” said Chiruit.
“TCEB believes that the bureau’s partnership with Phuket in destination marketing, attracting global events, upgrading MICE infrastructure and manpower, product development and undertaking sustainable initiatives will be strong fundamentals for the upcoming GSTC 2026.”
Sophon Suwannarat, the governor of Phuket, said the bid win aligned with plans to make the island a global sustainable tourism destination by 2027. This would be supported by measures such a reduction of greenhouse gases emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, and waste management.
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“Phuket Province is ready to be the host of GSTC 2026. With our current available infrastructure including airport, hotels and other global standard facilities, together with our unique local culture identity, we are ready to welcome GSTC members and visitors from around the world to Phuket,” the governor said.
Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation president, Bhummikitti Raktaengam, said a “strategic masterplan” encouraging tourism businesses and the public sector was being put in place to meet Phuket’s commitment to sustainability.
Athikhun Kongmee, director-general of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, or DASTA, said Thailand and Phuket would benefit significantly from the gathering of experienced participants and persons with knowledge resources in sustainable tourism from around the world.
