Thailand Launches Sustainable Community-Based Tourism Expo to Drive Creative Tourism Innovation
Thailand's Department of Tourism launches CBT EXPO THAILAND in May 2026 to showcase community-based tourism across 40 booths while promoting sustainable travel practices aligned with international standards.
The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has officially launched the CBT EXPO THAILAND event as part of the 2026 Sustainable Community-Based Tourism Initiative (CBT Green World Challenge 2026). The expo will be held at the Rajprasangsabdhi Building B, Chulalongkorn 80th Birthday Commemoration Government Center in Bangkok from May 6-8, 2026, with Patpong Pongsukul, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, presiding over the opening ceremony.
The event operates under the concept "THAI (crea) TIVE: Creativity Rooted in Thai Identity," demonstrating how Thai innovation not only intelligently addresses environmental challenges but also genuinely enhances the value of products and services in community tourism destinations. This aligns with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) standards that the Department of Tourism uses to upgrade tourism communities nationwide.
Patpong Pongsukul stated that this event is a key mechanism for advancing Thai community tourism toward international standards, giving communities opportunities to showcase their unique identities, local wisdom, and products to a wide audience. The initiative aims to raise awareness among communities, entrepreneurs, and tourists about the importance of sustainable and environmentally responsible tourism.
The three-day expo will feature more than 40 community tourism booths from across all regions, showcasing local products, food, and handicrafts. Activities include performances of regional arts and culture, expert seminars with community tourism representatives, business matching sessions connecting communities with government and private sector partners, community workshops, and daily lucky draw prizes for domestic flight tickets.
A highlight of the expo is "The Infinity Coaster for Local Benefit," coasters created through upcycling of non-degradable plastic waste, redesigned with unique patterns from all four regions by renowned artist DecideKit. This initiative tangibly reflects the event's commitment to sustainability through Thai creative thinking. Registered participants will receive 250 special commemorative coaster sets daily.
The CBT EXPO THAILAND 2026 runs from May 6-8, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM at Rajprasangsabdhi Building B. For more information, contact the Department of Tourism at 0-2141-3249 or visit their Facebook page: Department of Tourism.
