BANGKOK, Thailand – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) organized “TAT x DMCs: Communities ConNext” on 2 July 2026 at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit as a pilot workshop with destination management companies (DMCs) to position 55 community destinations for inclusion in long-haul market programs. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “Community tourism is central to TAT’s Value over Volume direction, linking quality revenue with meaningful travel experiences and sustainable local development. TAT is working with public-sector and private-sector partners, communities, and tourism networks to strengthen tourism products and services to enhance market readiness. Through this workshop, we are connecting community strengths with long-haul traveller demand and reinforcing the long-term competitiveness of Thailand’s community tourism.”
The workshop brought together TAT’s long-haul market teams and DMC partners serving Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. As key partners working closely with the overseas travel trade, DMCs joined TAT to exchange market insights, assess community readiness in terms of information, standards, and local potential, and co-design routes suited to international tour operators and travel agents.
Participants identified strong potential among many Thai community destinations, with Thai tourism products and services continuing to attract international interest. To help communities reach long-haul markets more effectively, further readiness is needed in visitor information, promotional channels, service standards, sustainability practices, and trade support tools for DMCs. Current traveller behaviour also supports this direction, with visitors placing greater importance on responsible tourism, local conservation, community lifestyles, and ‘Smart Spending’. Gen Z travellers in long-haul markets are seeking meaningful experiences through local culture, ways of life, and destination identities seen from fresh perspectives. This collaboration between TAT and DMCs marks another step in developing community tourism routes that respond to long-haul market demand, expand income distribution to communities and local areas, and support the sustainable growth of Thailand’s tourism industry. (TAT)
