Tourexpi
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is highlighting the country’s distinctive harmony of wellness, culture, and sustainability at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025, held from 4–6 November at ExCeL London. Marking 44 years of participation in this premier global travel event, the Thailand Pavilion embraces the theme “Senses of Siam: A Journey to Total Well-being”, reflecting TAT’s new global communication campaign, “Healing is the New Luxury.”
Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana graciously visited the Thailand Pavilion, which features lush floral arrangements beneath the Amazing Thailand logo. The Princess joined a cultural demonstration showcasing Thai wellness cuisine and mocktail-making inspired by lotus blossoms and butterfly pea flowers, underscoring royal support for Thailand’s tourism promotion and creative engagement on the world stage.
A celebration of Thai culture and renewal
The Pavilion’s official opening echoed the Loi Krathong festival, celebrated nationwide on 5 November. With floating lanterns, music, and traditional performances, the event brought the enchantment of Thai heritage to London. Distinguished guests included Mr. Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Ms. Natthriya Thaweevong, Chairperson of the TAT Board of Directors.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool commented:
“WTM is an important platform for Thailand to engage with the global tourism community and share our story of transformation. Through the theme ‘Senses of Siam: A Journey to Total Well-being’, we showcase how Thai culture and hospitality embrace the spirit of restoration, connection, and fulfilment – ideals that perfectly reflect our new campaign ‘Healing is the New Luxury.’”
Wellness, heritage, and sustainability
The Thailand Pavilion merges modern Thai architecture with motifs of textiles, crafts, and music – symbolising harmony between tradition and sustainability. It serves as a vibrant hub for business networking, with 50 Thai tourism operators participating this year, including nine DMCs and 41 hotels and resorts. Among them are 14 first-time exhibitors, seven Thailand Tourism Award winners (2025), 24 STGs STAR-certified businesses, and 12 CF Hotels. Strategic partners include Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, the Thailand Privilege Card, and the Sports Authority of Thailand.
A multisensory journey through Thai wellness
Throughout the three-day fair, visitors experience the “Map of Thailand: A Journey to Total Well-being”, a visual anchor showcasing five wellness identities:
· North: Serenity and Traditional Healing
· Northeast: Authentic Culture and Nature Healing
· Central: Urban Wellness and Medical Excellence
· East: Coastal Rejuvenation
· South: Exotic Tropical Detox
The Product Showcase features 19 wellness providers from all regions, including award-winning and STAR-certified operators. The collaboration “Senses of Siam: TAT x Butterfly Perfume” introduces the Amazing Thailand Aroma Collection, comprising five fragrances inspired by Thailand’s landscapes – The Lanna Mist, The Isan Sun, The Siamese Garden, The Andaman Tide, and The Eastern Orchard.
The Inspire Showcase presents innovative Thai wellness products, from aromatherapy and herbal skincare to contemporary lifestyle items that embody Thai craftsmanship and sustainable design.
Interactive experiences and workshops
Daily demonstrations include Zira Spa & Massage Chiang Mai, an Aroma Essential Oil Workshop, and Aroma Diffuser Scented Workshops, offering hands-on encounters with scent and relaxation techniques. Displays of traditional Thai costumes (Chud Thai) highlight the artistry of Thai textiles and jewellery, celebrating timeless elegance and cultural pride.
Tourism outlook and UK market
TAT expects over 1,500 business meetings during WTM 2025, projecting an estimated 1.33 billion Baht in potential tourism revenue. The UK remains one of Thailand’s top ten long-haul markets, with 836,907 UK visitors recorded between January and October 2025 – a 13.1% increase year-on-year. The average stay reached 15.9 days, with expenditure of around 63,000 Baht per trip.
For winter 2025/2026, 52 direct flights per week connect the UK with Thailand, operated by Thai Airways, EVA Air, British Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways, and TUI UK, linking London and Manchester to Bangkok and Phuket.
TAT continues to collaborate with airlines and tour operators through joint campaigns, media partnerships, and influencer programmes, while promoting responsible travel via its Hidden Gem initiative, which encourages visitors to discover emerging destinations that reflect the true spirit of Thailand.
Image Credit: © TAT
The most interesting news
Princess Cruises launches Blue Friday sale with discounts of up to 50 percent
The cruise line is offering reduced fares, additional savings and selected free third- and fourth-guest fares for bookings made by December 7
Turkish Airlines launches Chengdu flights, expanding its China network
Three weekly Boeing 787-9 services connect Istanbul with western China's major business and tourism hub, opening new travel opportunities between Türkiye and Sichuan province
Trinity Airways offers discounted flights between Taiwan and South Korea
The airline formerly known as T'way Air launches promotional fares across seven routes as it develops its new Selective Service Carrier strategy
Southeast Asian travelers discover new destinations in Japan, China and South Korea
Traveloka booking data reveals growing interest in Fukuoka, Jeju and lesser-known Chinese cities as travelers explore alternatives to established East Asian tourism hubs
Lufthansa receives 700th Airbus as new A350-1000 flagship prepares for Tokyo debut
The aircraft marks 50 years of cooperation with Airbus and introduces Lufthansa’s latest Allegris cabins and Starlink-powered Wi-Fi on long-haul flights
Thailand expands Balkan tourism links with new Sofia–Phuket flights
A new direct service from Bulgaria and a Romanian travel trade initiative aim to increase visitor arrivals and promote multi-destination holidays along Thailand’s Andaman coast
Marella Cruises strengthens UK travel trade support with two appointments
TUI’s cruise brand introduces its first dedicated Key Account Manager and appoints a new Trade Training Manager to expand sales support and product training for travel agents
Bangkok Illuminates the Chao Phraya with Month-Long Light Festival
Vijit Chao Phraya 2026 transforms 19 riverside locations with projections, drone displays and cultural performances from 13 November to 13 December
Waldorf Astoria plans to nearly triple branded residences portfolio by 2030
Hilton targets 34 residential properties worldwide, with new developments in Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia reflecting growing demand for luxury homes with hotel services
Spain seeks leading role in EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy
Madrid backs European plans for better destination management and digitalisation while calling for stronger measures on housing, employment and tourism funding
Marella Discovery 2 introduces four new venues as ship goes adults-only
TUI’s UK cruise line is adding private karaoke, an immersive speakeasy, a 1920s escape room and a creative retreat ahead of the 2027 season
Hyatt opens The Mindaro hotel near Portland International Airport
The 90-room lifestyle property forms part of a hospitality complex combining airport accommodation, restaurants and conference facilities
Emirates opens Dubai hospitality training centre to UAE businesses
The airline is making its $8 million training facility available to external organisations, offering courses in customer service, fine dining, gastronomy and leadership
Delta expands summer 2027 flights to US and Caribbean leisure destinations
New seasonal weekend routes and additional frequencies will improve access to national parks, coastal resorts and holiday destinations across North America
WTTC welcomes EU tourism strategy but calls for faster action on travel barriers
The global tourism body supports the European Commission’s new framework for sustainable growth while urging progress on border procedures, investment, digitalisation and workforce development
Dusit opens two hotels in Yangon, combining colonial heritage with modern hospitality
Thailand’s Dusit International takes over the historic Strand Hotel and introduces its ASAI lifestyle brand in Myanmar’s largest city
Jakarta to host major hospitality investment conference in January 2027
The 10th Hospitality Indonesia Conference will bring together more than 500 industry executives to discuss hotel investment, sustainable development, revenue management and travel technology
Spain’s tourism workforce exceeds 3.25 million as employment rises 5.4%
Tourism added more than 166,000 jobs in the third quarter of 2026, while permanent contracts and international employment continued to grow
IHG resorts in Indonesia launch hospitality leadership programme for local graduates
Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach introduce a fully funded two-year training initiative combining practical experience with international certification
Agoda survey finds growing demand for all-in-one travel booking across Asia
The 2027 Asia Travel Pulse shows that 61% of surveyed travellers are open to booking entire trips on one platform, while payment preferences and language support differ significantly between markets
Agoda highlights five lesser-known winter destinations across Asia
From Japan’s snow-covered forests to frozen lakes in China and mountain landscapes in Kashmir, alternative winter escapes offer experiences beyond established ski resorts




