As we step into 2024, the tourism landscape is evolving. On January 15, the Thailand Tourism Forum 2024 (TTF) took place at the newly renovated InterContinental Hotel Bangkok — and our Partnerships team was there to listen to the emerging trends, challenges and opportunities. This marks the 13th year that the TTF has occurred, as always organized by the leading hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks, and each year being better than the last. Gathering industry professionals and stakeholders together to not just meet, but opening up for insightful discussions, networking opportunities as well as to see firsthand the different innovations within Thailand’s tourism industry, this time with a particular focus on artificial intelligence technologies.
The agenda of the TTF is designed to cover a broad spectrum of subjects, trends, and forecasts that are crucial for the industry’s growth and sustainability. From discussions on integration of digital technologies, sustainable business practices, exploring new and niche markets, all attendees gained valuable insights that will shape the future of tourism in Thailand. Each speaker came with interesting insights from their own backgrounds; from how AI can evolve Thai hospitality, to the rise of lifestyle hotels, gastro tourism, new forms of accommodations, Thailand’s new big three travel markets: China, Russia and India, a hotel conversion case study, Thailand hotel investment and market transactions, reinventing the hospitality organization, tech innovations, and finally restaurants and bars and how they can help shape brand identity. Additionally, with various students from the Dusit Thani College, the next generation of hospitality professionals give their thoughts and ideas on how their perspective and impact on the future of the hospitality industry. A key take away was not to look at how big the impact is from large projects, but to ask what we can do incrementally for a more sustainable future.
One of the main highlights of the TTF was the extensive networking opportunities. Participants had the opportunity to connect with key decision makers, thought leaders, and potential collaborators in Thailand’s hospitality industry to not just simply connect but also to exchange information and industry insights. To continue contributing to the growth of the hospitality industry, it is important to adopt sustainable business practices that will push Thailand to the forefront of the industry. Collaborating with other industry leaders and utilizing new innovative tools and solutions, such as AI, will further improve Thailand and the hospitality industry as a whole. This will ensure that Thailand remains one of the most enchanting destinations, while also shaping the narrative of the Thai tourism and hospitality industries. Together, we can not only maintain our current standing but go beyond anyone’s expectations.