Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, welcomed over 500 participants from 55 countries to the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2026 (GSTC 2026), held in Phuket from 21 to 24 April 2026. The conference serves as a global platform for international experts to exchange knowledge and experience in sustainable tourism practices.

At the opening ceremony, the Minister delivered his keynote address, emphasizing that Thailand has made sustainability central to its Thailand 10 Plus strategy, shifting from quantity-driven growth toward long-term value, quality, and resilience.

In the tourism sector, the country integrates culture into tourism to unlock soft power and preserve national identity, while also promoting low-carbon tourism, environmentally friendly transport, and greater support for local businesses.

He also highlighted Phuket as a strong example of environmental management and community-led participation, fully aligned with global sustainable tourism principles.

This conference will elevate both Thai and international standards in sustainable tourism, affirming Thailand's role as a leader in the field.