Ko Lanta, Chiang Khan And Uthai Thani Put Thailand’s Sustainable Tourism In The Global Spotlight At ITB Berlin 2026

The ITB Berlin 2026 event recognized community-based environmental achievements of Thailand which created new attractions for eco-friendly travellers to discover Thailand’s three destinations of Ko Lanta, Chiang Khan and Uthai Thani. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) achieved multiple victories at the Green Destinations Story Awards and Green Destinations Awards 2026 which demonstrated how local communities and protected areas and heritage towns create sustainable tourism practices for the Kingdom.

Thailand’s big night at Green Destinations

At ITB Berlin 2026, Thailand was recognised across several categories in the Green Destinations Story Awards, led by Mu Ko Lanta National Park’s A Hero’s Tale from Lanta Island’s Regenerative Coast: The Hermit Crab, which took the Winner title in the Nature & Scenery category. The story, supported by TAT under the Krabi Prototype model, impressed judges for turning hands‑on coastal conservation into an immersive visitor experience that helps protect fragile shore ecosystems.

In the Environment & Climate category, Chiang Khan in Loei province received a Winner award for When the Mekong Changed: A Fishing Village’s Journey Towards Sustainable Tourism, highlighting how a riverside community has adapted to ecological change by embracing low‑impact tourism rooted in local life. Uthai Thani Old Town’s The Giant Gourami as GI Tourism: A Living Symbol of Climate Resilience, Connecting Water Stewardship with the Cultural Legacy of Uthai Thani Old Town secured 2nd Place, showcasing how a native fish and geographical indication (GI) product can become a symbol of climate resilience and water stewardship.​

Senior Thai tourism leaders, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, who also chairs the TAT Board, and the TAT Governor, attended the ceremony in Berlin, signalling the priority placed on sustainable destination development at national level. According to TAT’s public communications, the awards were presented as proof that Thailand can create high‑quality destinations where the environment, local communities and long‑term sustainability sit at the heart of tourism.

Ko Lanta’s hermit crab heroes

On Ko Lanta, the Returning Homes to Hermit Crabs initiative at Mu Ko Lanta National Park has become a flagship example of how conservation and tourism can work hand in hand. The project encourages visitors to help address a shortage of natural seashells for hermit crabs by offering responsible alternatives and educating travellers about the coastal ecosystem they are stepping into.

TAT has framed Ko Lanta as a pilot for its Krabi Prototype concept, which focuses on low‑carbon routes, nature‑based experiences and partnerships between national parks, private operators and local communities. This approach aligns with the broader New Thailand and Unforgettable Experience: Healing is the New Luxury vision promoted in Europe, where sustainable itineraries and smaller, lesser‑known islands are being marketed as a softer, more regenerative way to enjoy the Andaman Sea.

Chiang Khan: when the Mekong changed

Chiang Khan, a charming town on the Mekong River in Loei province, has reimagined itself as a model of climate‑aware riverside tourism. The award‑winning story When the Mekong Changed: A Fishing Village’s Journey Towards Sustainable Tourism chronicles how local fishers responded to shifting river flows and declining catches by diversifying into guided river walks, boat trips, cultural experiences and homestays that share their way of life with visitors.

Green Destinations documentation notes that this transition has reduced pressure on fish stocks, encouraged riverbank restoration and created new income streams for dozens of households, while preserving local traditions. Travellers can now experience sunrise almsgiving, wooden shophouses, slow‑paced cycling along the river and stories of the Mekong’s changing ecology, turning a former challenge into a drawcard for mindful tourism.

Uthai Thani’s Giant Gourami and GI tourism

In Uthai Thani Old Town, the Giant Gourami has become much more than a local delicacy. Through the story recognised with 2nd Place at the Environment & Climate Green Destinations Story Awards, the town positions its GI‑certified Giant Gourami as a symbol of responsible freshwater management and cultural identity, linking traditional recipes, riverside heritage and education on water stewardship.​

Visitors are encouraged to discover riverside markets, heritage streets and local eateries where the Giant Gourami is prepared according to long‑standing culinary practices, while learning about the wetlands and waterways that support the species. The initiative fits neatly within Thailand’s push to develop healing and heritage‑focused experiences, where food, culture and the environment are woven into one journey.​

Takua Pa and Doi Phu Kha gain certified recognition

Beyond the storytelling awards, Thailand’s credentials were further strengthened as the Department of Tourism received Green Destinations Awards under the Thailand Good Travel Award for Takua Pa Old Town in Phang‑nga and Doi Phu Kha National Park in Nan. Both sites were honoured under the Green Destinations Awards and Certification Programme, following independent assessment against internationally recognised sustainability criteria.

Takua Pa Old Town, with its Sino‑Portuguese shophouses and tin‑mining history, is being positioned as a slow‑travel stop on the Andaman coast, while Doi Phu Kha offers highland forests, rare flora and community‑based tourism in northern Thailand. Together, they expand the country’s sustainable tourism map beyond classic hotspots, inviting travellers to explore heritage streets, national parks and lesser‑known provinces through a greener lens.

A value‑over‑volume future for travellers

For future visitors, the success of Ko Lanta, Chiang Khan, Uthai Thani, Takua Pa and Doi Phu Kha signals that Thailand’s famous smiles increasingly come with a lighter footprint. TAT has been using platforms like ITB Berlin to reinforce a value‑over‑volume strategy, promoting healing experiences, low‑carbon routes and certified sustainable products to travellers from key markets such as Germany, the UK, the US, Australia and China, where interest in eco‑friendly holidays is rising.

People who want to visit Thailand should choose from these award-winning locations because these sites help support conservation efforts and community development and protect cultural heritage. The TAT leaders who spoke to the public said that the organization received its latest awards because they want to attract visitors who prefer to create positive impacts through their choice of accommodations and activities throughout the Kingdom.