Thailand
Travellers love THAILAND for much more than its iconic landmarks and wide open horizons: visitors come for wide range of ecotourism activities: Eco-friendly accommodation in Thailand, wildlife activities. But don’t just stop with the landscapes! Take the opportunity to learn about the people that live in this big country.
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Explore the options for a responsible trip
GOOD PLACES TO VISIT
Explore destinations that were certified for their sustainability efforts
GOOD TRAVEL BUSINESSES
Discover accommodations, restaurants, shops and activities that are committed to sustainability. Their efforts are summarised in a SCORECARD (click on the picture). For the Good Travel Seal, the higher the number of stars or the level (level 3 is the highest), the more aspects of sustainability are checked by an independent auditor.
- Restaurants
Yakkajon
Good Travel Seal Level 1
YakkaJon is Thamturakit registered trademark for restaurants and marts showcasing all the ingredients and recipes of our sufficient food by creative chefs.
PROMO CODE: GD-YKJ
GOOD PRACTICE STORIES
Get inspired with stories from places and people that are acting for a fair and responsible tourism
Hua Hin
Hua Hin city is one of the top beach & sea tourist destinations of Thailand with a very high volume of tourists, both Thai and foreigner. Besides its physical attraction, seafood is one of Hua Hin’s tourism products that brings tourists to the destination, especially Blue Swimming Crab (BSC). However, in recent years there is a very low number of BSC due to overfishing which affected the local fishermen. The local fishing village called “Ban Kao Takiab” organized the crab bank, a sustainable crab conservation project to increase the number of BSC by taking the caught gravid females BSC called“berried female crab” in the in rearing condition, allowing them to spawn and then releasing them and young crabs back to the sea. The project is well-supported by local restaurants and hotels. Moreover, it has become a famous tourism activity in Hua Hin where tourists can come to the releasing station to join the volunteers of the project for releasing the crab and other marine lives back to the sea.
Khlong Thom
Khlong Thom is an area with abundant natural resources and environment, especially water which is the main tourism resource. Because of extended agricultural practices (palm oil and rubber) the water level and quality have been reduced over time. This effects the local hot spring, the main tourist attraction of the area, and other water attractions. The solution proposed is based on survelliance, problem reporting, and a creation of a reforestation plan.
Mueang Kao Sukhothai
The Sukhothai Historical Park, an UNESCO world heritage site and the main attraction of Mueang Kao Sukhothai, has been invaded by invasive species for many years which harms the landscape and scenery as well as aesthetics in the historical park. There have been 2 cases that were identified as the highest priority; (1) invasive catfishes in the pond of archaeological site brought in by visitors that bought them from a nearby fresh market and released them in the pond. (2) A flock of migratory egrets nesting inside the historical park, however, they are protected by law. These 2 issues have been successfully handled; as all hybrid catfishes were relocated, the pond is being renovated and the local ecosystem is being restored. Next to that there have been made adjustments to discourage the birds from nesting, which resulted in a decreasing number of the birds. To manage the complexity of nature that coexists with cultural heritage it can be regarded as a long-term experiment.
Nan Old city
During the high season, Nan old city has encountered ‘Overtourism’ from time to time, especially on public holiday and weekend. With a high volume of visitors, Nan municipality has arranged an evening outdoor market at the old square to extend capacity to receive visitors and to maximize the benefit for locals. However, it has generated unprecedented type and volume of waste. With its limited capacity, the municipality tried to find a solution to deal with the problem. So, it set up waste separation facilities inside the market to separate the waste into 9 types. However, it still had a problem because separating waste into 9 types is quite demanding for the visitors. Therefore, the municipality recruited volunteers to position at the waste separation station to help the visitors. It turned out that elderly people are the group that are the most enthusiastic.
Sustainability
Last year, the Thai government announced more ambitious climate targets and greater priority for the promotion of sustainable practices. Currently, the measures are concentrated in the renewable energy and low-emission transport sectors These efforts, along with growing environmental awareness among both locals and tourists, are contributing to Thailand’s commitment to becoming a more sustainable and environmentally conscious destination.
Travel tips from our editors
Getting around
Trains are a handy way to travel, particularly between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Buses are widely available, with both long-distance and local routes. For a more local experience, tuk-tuks and songthaews (shared taxis) are common in many towns and cities. In Bangkok, the Skytrain (BTS) and Metro (MRT) offer convenient and affordable public transportation. Furthermore, its picturesque islands often rely on ferries and boats for transportation between them.
Tourism & People
Tourism in Thailand welcomes millions of international visitors annually and plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, contributing around 13.4% to the GDP in 2019. Popular destinations, such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, tend to draw large crowds, especially during peak seasons.
While these renowned hotspots might sometimes experience overcrowding, the country offers numerous unspoiled regions, like the mountainous north and peaceful islands, providing travellers with plenty of alternative destinations to explore. Thai locals are known for their warmth and friendliness towards foreign guests, and learning a few basic Thai phrases can enhance your experience, as English is not universally spoken outside major tourist areas.
Nature & Wildlife
Thailand has multiple natural landscapes, ranging from beaches and tropical islands to jungles and mountainous terrains. Its abundant wildlife is a significant draw for nature enthusiasts. The country is home to several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries where visitors can experience the richness of its flora and fauna. Among the wildlife species found in Thailand are elephants, tigers, gibbons, various bird species, and diverse marine life. Additionally, Thailand offers opportunities for activities such as jungle trekking, snorkelling, and scuba diving to explore its captivating natural beauty, both on land and underwater.
Sustainability Recognitions
Brazil has 9 destinations featured in the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations 2021.
Other sustainability certifications can be seen here (English) and here (Portuguese).
Fernanda Rodak | Page Editor
“Brazil is a worldwide known hotspot for biodiversity as well as home to a multitude of cultural expressions. The natural and cultural heritage and immense variety of tourism experiences in the country are valuable assets for its competitiveness. Yet, as we envision a post Covid-19 era, sustainability in tourism becomes crucial to build resilience and guarantee the long-lasting health of Brazil’s ecosystems and well-being of the hosting communities. This would also ensure an active contribution of the country’s tourism sector to the Sustainable Development Goals.”
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