Tourexpi
Thailand is stepping up its efforts to attract the
highest-spending segment of the international travel market. The Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) is partnering with London-based Private Luxury
Events to bring Ultra Thailand 2027 to Bangkok from 20 to 24 June. The event at
the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River will mark Ultra’s first
edition in Southeast Asia.
The invitation-only gathering connects luxury tourism
suppliers with a specialised international network whose clients include
ultra-high-net-worth individuals. For Thailand, the event is intended both as a
business platform for local tourism companies and as an opportunity to present
a broader definition of luxury based on wellness, gastronomy, culture and
personalised experiences.
Thailand targets the ultra-luxury market
Ultra’s buyer community includes family offices,
executive and personal assistants and celebrity agents who organise travel for
some of the world’s wealthiest clients. Participants are selected according to
the quality and depth of their client portfolios.
“Ultra Thailand 2027 places Thailand into one of the
world’s most influential ultra-luxury travel networks,” says TAT Governor
Thapanee Kiatphaibool.
TAT plans to use the event to showcase what
Kiatphaibool describes as “a distinctive expression of Thai luxury built on
personalised service, cultural depth and genuine human connection”. The offer
ranges from wellness and gastronomy to private journeys, arts, living heritage
and locally rooted experiences.
“The event will also create valuable business
opportunities for Thai tourism partners while reinforcing Thailand’s position
as a high-value and sustainable tourism destination,” she adds.
Bangkok’s wealthy population is growing
The choice of Bangkok comes as the Thai capital gains
importance in the international wealth and luxury hospitality markets.
According to figures cited by TAT, Bangkok’s ultra-high-net-worth population is
projected to increase by more than 50 percent by 2030.
Knight Frank forecasts a 26 percent increase in
Thailand’s ultra-high-net-worth population between 2026 and 2031, placing the
country among Asia’s emerging wealth markets.
International hotel investment is developing alongside
this trend. Recent and forthcoming projects include Aman Nai Lert Bangkok and
The Langham’s planned restoration of the historic Custom House on the Chao
Phraya River.
Wellness and Thai hospitality shape luxury strategy
TAT is increasingly linking its luxury tourism
strategy with wellbeing, personalisation and meaningful travel under its
“Healing is the New Luxury” communication approach.
The tourism authority also highlights the concept of
nam jai, referring to the Thai tradition of generosity and warm hospitality.
Combined with wellness, food, arts and culture, this is intended to distinguish
Thailand from destinations where luxury is defined primarily through
accommodation and material exclusivity.
“Bangkok is entering an exciting period of growth at
the very top end of luxury travel,” says Christy Kuplic, Managing Director of
Private Luxury Events. “The expansion of private wealth, continued investment
from leading global hospitality brands and Thailand’s focus on high-value
tourism make this an incredibly timely moment for Ultra to come to the
destination.”
According to Kuplic, Bangkok currently has “real
momentum” within the international luxury travel sector.
More than one million business meetings organised
Private Luxury Events has been organising networking
events for the international luxury travel industry for more than a decade.
According to the company, it has facilitated more than one million one-to-one
meetings at over 200 events in more than 90 countries.
Ultra represents the exclusive end of this portfolio.
Previous participants in its international community include AMAN, Orient
Express, The Datai, Windows to Japan, Domaine Louise and Tangile Malamala
Collection.
With its Southeast Asian debut in 2027, the event will
give Thai hotels, destination specialists and other tourism businesses direct
access to buyers serving the ultra-high-net-worth travel market while placing
Bangkok more prominently on the international luxury tourism calendar.
Image Credit: © AI generated illustration with elements courtesy of TAT
The most interesting news
Read the News

Qatar Airways expands winter network to more than 170 destinations
Canberra and Zanzibar return to the network as the airline adds frequencies across Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and the Middle East
Read the News

Istanbul Airport targets luxury aviation with new private terminal
Around 3,600 VVIP passengers have used the JETEX-IGA facility since May, with particularly strong demand from Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East
Read the News

Nicaragua strengthens tourism promotion in Canada
The Nicaraguan Tourism Institute presented the destination to travel industry professionals in Toronto and Montreal as part of the Canada Roadshow 2026
Read the News

Türkiye ranks among top non-EU destinations for European travellers
Eurostat data shows Türkiye was one of the three most popular destinations outside the European Union for EU residents in 2024
Read the News

Hilton ranks as Asia’s best workplace for second consecutive year
The hotel group marks a decade as the region’s highest-ranked hospitality employer while its Asia-Pacific workforce grows to more than 99,000
Read the News

ALTA aviation conference focuses on regulation and competitiveness
More than 170 airline executives, lawyers and industry experts discussed legal and aeropolitical challenges facing aviation across Latin America and the Caribbean
Read the News

Germany: Condor adds American Airlines as new North American partner
New interline agreement opens additional connections across the US and Canada with single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage
Read the News

Emirates signs 11 partnerships at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai
New agreements span tourism promotion, airline cooperation, travel distribution and specialised customer segments across Europe, Asia and the Middle East
Read the News

Peru releases previously blocked Machu Picchu booking capacity
Unconfirmed and unpaid reservations had reduced actual availability, with the affected spaces returning to the official booking system from 16 September
Read the News

LATAM invests $25 million in satellite Wi-Fi for 60 new aircraft
Airbus A320neo and A321XLR aircraft as well as Embraer E195-E2 jets will receive multi-orbit satellite connectivity as LATAM expands its connected fleet
Read the News

Peninsula Hotels earn three places in The 50 Best Hotels 2026
Properties in Istanbul and Hong Kong enter the global Top 50, while The Peninsula Shanghai debuts at No. 99
Read the News

Silversea introduces four suite categories across its fleet
Seventeen suite types are reorganised into Oceanview, Veranda, Residence and Villa, with additional benefits for higher categories from January 2027
Read the News

Germany’s inbound tourism gains momentum during summer season
International overnight stays rose 3.2 percent in July, while travel industry sentiment points to further growth in the months ahead
Read the News

Eurowings expands winter network from Germany and the Czech Republic
New routes and extended services connect Berlin with Bologna, Dusseldorf with Milan and Tallinn, and Prague with Finnish Lapland
Read the News

Türkiye: Civil aviation fleet expands to 2,300 aircraft including balloons
Airlines, air taxi operators and general aviation all increased their fleets in the first half of 2026, while hot air balloons continued to play a significant role in tourism
Read the News

Thailand: Bangkok Art Biennale turns the capital into a citywide art route
The fifth edition runs from 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, bringing contemporary art to temples, museums, landmarks and public spaces across Bangkok
Read the News

Agoda matches Asian hidden gems with the twelve zodiac signs
From Niseko’s ski slopes to Ninh Binh’s limestone landscapes, Agoda turns astrology into inspiration for exploring lesser-known destinations across Asia
Read the News

Thailand promotes film tourism and production opportunities at TIFF 2026
Tourism Authority of Thailand uses Toronto International Film Festival to connect international filmmakers with locations, production expertise and travel experiences across the country
Read the News

Oceania Cruises opens 12 segments of 2028 world voyage for booking
The inaugural 180-day voyage of Oceania Aurelia can now be booked in shorter sections of 10 to 19 days, covering destinations across six continents
Read the News

Radisson Career Fest 2026 puts AI and career mobility in focus
Month-long hybrid programme will connect hospitality professionals and aspiring talent in more than 100 countries with training, leadership sessions and future skills
Read the News

Thailand: TAT promotes wellness and MICE tourism at Gastech 2026
Thailand is using the global energy conference in Bangkok to showcase wellness, culture and responsible travel to more than 50,000 international professionals
