Tourexpi
Ceremony in Bangkok
On World Tourism Day (27 September), Her Royal
Highness Princess Ubolratana presented 151 honours at the Grand Hyatt Erawan
Bangkok. The event, attended by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, executives, judges and partner organisations,
highlighted national pride and international standards in sustainable tourism.
Reinforcing Thailand’s competitiveness
Governor Thapanee described the Awards as “a mark of
honour for Thailand’s tourism industry, recognising operators that consistently
deliver excellence, preserve cultural and natural heritage, and adapt to global
challenges.” She added that the focus on sustainability strengthens Thailand’s
global competitiveness while assuring visitors of quality and authenticity.
Awards across five categories
Established in 1996, the biennial awards are the
country’s highest tourism accolade. This year’s edition introduced the Thailand
Tourism Sustainability Awards, raising the number of categories to five:
tourist attractions, accommodation, health and wellness, tour programmes, and
tourism support and promotion.
Entries were assessed against four criteria: product
and service quality, sustainable management, business operations, and promotion
of responsible tourism. Results included:
·
17 Excellence Awards
·
59 Outstanding Awards
·
69 inaugural Sustainability Awards
·
6 Hall of Fame honours for operators with three consecutive wins
Part of a wider celebration
The ceremony formed part of the Amazing Thailand Grand
Tourism and Sports Year 2025, underscoring the country’s blend of heritage,
environmental stewardship and world-class hospitality.
Full details and the complete list of winners are
available at tourismthailand.org/tourismawards and via the official Thailand Tourism Awards Facebook
page.
Image
Credit: © TAT
The most interesting news


Miles & More introduces miles and Points for CO₂-offsetting packages
Members can now collect additional miles and Points when booking CO₂-offsetting packages – moving faster towards frequent flyer status while contributing to more sustainable flying


For its anniversary year: Lufthansa reinvents the onboard experience
With FOX – Future Onboard Experience – Lufthansa will introduce more individuality, comfort and signature moments on long-haul flights from spring 2026


UN Tourism to Launch First Tourism Law Observatory in the Middle East
The new Observatory will act as a knowledge hub to strengthen and harmonize tourism legislation across the region


Ryanair to open new Trapani-Marsala base in January 2026
Two aircraft, 23 routes – including 11 new destinations – and over one million passengers annually: Ryanair expands in Sicily after the scrapping of the Municipal Tax at smaller airports


Çameli Joins the Cittaslow Network – Türkiye Now Counts 27 Member Towns
In southern Denizli, Çameli has been awarded the international Cittaslow label. The region stands out for its pristine nature, traditions, and commitment to sustainable living


Travelport integrates automated commission tool to boost agent revenue
Through a new partnership with Farenexus, Travelport+ now offers real-time commission visibility, helping agencies increase profitability, reduce errors, and make smarter bookings


Eurowings Marketplace launches direct booking for codeshare flights
For the first time, customers can search, book, and check in for codeshare flights directly via the Eurowings website and app. AEGEAN Airlines and Smartwings are the first partners to join


TAT to host the second DNA Travel and Fair 2025 in Bangkok this October
From 9–12 October, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre will showcase Thailand’s subcultures with five lifestyle zones, immersive experiences, and live performances


Spain: 10 new Festivals of National and International Tourist Interest recognised
During World Tourism Week, Spain adds six festivals of national significance and four of international significance to its official list, now totalling 164 and 86 respectively


Star Princess delivered to Princess Cruises at Fincantieri shipyard
The second Sphere-Class newbuild will debut in the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean and Alaska


Lufthansa unveils special livery for 100th anniversary
A Boeing 787-9 will debut a centennial design in December 2025, marking the start of Lufthansa’s anniversary year 2026


Turkish Airlines orders up to 225 Boeing aircraft
The national flag carrier has placed a major order for widebody and narrowbody jets, aiming to modernize its fleet and expand capacity through 2035


Nature, adventure and rare routes: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises launches sold-out Great Lakes season
High demand prompts five-cruise expansion in 2027 as HANSEATIC inspiration navigates rare inland waterways


Asia-Pacific highlights smart and sustainable growth at UN Tourism-PATA Forum
19th edition in Guilin focuses on data-driven policies, innovation, and regional recovery


Lufthansa Group to cut 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 as part of digital transformation
Job reductions tied to efficiency drive, automation, and structural streamlining; Group sets new financial targets for 2028–2030


Ryanair Confirms November 12 as Start Date for 100 Percent Digital Boarding Passes
Europe’s number one airline will phase out paper passes after the autumn holiday period to ensure a smooth transition for passengers


Experiential tourism at the core of the 5th Turespaña Convention in Cáceres
From 7–9 October, Cáceres will host Spain’s main tourism forum under the theme “Experiences that transform: building better tourism”. The focus: sustainability, innovation and authentic experiences


World Rivers Day: Agoda Showcases Asia’s Most Captivating Waterways
From Vietnam’s Perfume River to Indonesia’s brilliantly blue Kali Biru – Agoda highlights river destinations that combine natural beauty, cultural heritage and local life


Delta adds nonstop service from New York to Porto
Starting May 21, 2026, Delta will connect New York-JFK with Porto, Portugal, offering direct access to one of Europe’s most vibrant coastal cities


Four Seasons Hotel Tianjin blends nature, design and luxury
Autumn in Tianjin brings golden light and nostalgic charm


Thailand highlights soft power at Tourism Expo Japan 2025 in Nagoya
TAT showcases culture, wellness and new travel segments to inspire Japanese visitors
