Three new UNESCO biosphere reserves landed in June, including a first for Timor-Leste. What the designation is actually betting on, and what it asks of anyone who visits. Three places joined a very short list this June: UNESCO biosphere reserves, one of them a first for its country entirely. A biosphere reserve isn’t just a
Around the Region There’s a particular kind of travel news that never quite makes it past the trade press, and this week’s edition is a good example of that. UNESCO quietly added three new biosphere reserves to the map last month, one of them is a first for a country most readers have never had
Thailand tested its sustainable tourism model in Krabi. Now the same blueprint is heading north, and it changes how you should plan a Chiang Mai trip. Five years ago, Krabi became the testing ground for an idea Thailand’s tourism authority wasn’t sure would work: that a destination could be rebuilt around certified low-impact routes, trained
Around the Region I’m not going to lie, the durian museum that just opened in Kuala Lumpur isn’t tempting me onto a flight this week. I don’t find the notoriously pongy fruit as intrusive as some, but I did once convince myself that there was a gas leak in the apartment (which isn’t connected to
GSTC, Green Key, Green Hotel Plus: what these logos actually mean, and how to tell a genuine credential from a marketing sticker Booking.com’s own data puts the figure above 80%: most travellers now say they want to stay somewhere sustainable. Hotels across Southeast Asia have responded with a wall of green badges on their booking
Whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet – and one of the most exploited animals in ocean tourism. On a small Philippine island, something unusual just happened: the people in charge decided enough was enough. Whale sharks are not dangerous. That is the first thing to understand. Despite the name, they are filter
Around the Region For those of us in Bangkok who found ourselves knee-deep in flood water this week, this is merely a sign of things to come. Briefly, messily, typically a storm can see the water table in Thailand’s capital rise quickly. And this is why you’ll find many older Bangkok residents seeking retirement in
A major new report finds two in three captive elephants in Thailand live in poor conditions – despite the industry’s ethical re-brand. Here’s what the report actually says, and what you need to know before you go. The sanctuary had no riding. No shows. It had a logo with a lotus flower and a tagline
Discover pristine islands, ancient cultures, and world-class diving beyond the crowds Bali welcomed a staggering 6.3 million international visitors in 2024—nearly double its local population of 4.2 million. The BBC’s recent investigation revealed the stark consequences: beaches littered with plastic waste, traffic gridlock, and tourists posting “expectations vs reality” disappointments on social media. The tragic
I’ve just spent the past month researching Thailand’s tourism transformation, and what I’ve discovered has completely shifted my perspective on luxury travel in Southeast Asia. The Kingdom isn’t just paying lip service to sustainability – they’re orchestrating the most comprehensive green tourism revolution I’ve witnessed in two decades of travel writing. While most destinations still
Thailand Built a Sustainable Tourism Model in Krabi. Now It’s Rolling It Out in Chiang Mai.
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They Were Feeding Wild Sharks to Give Tourists Their Insta Moment. Bohol Just Put a Stop to It.
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Vietnam’s Best Michelin Restaurants in 2026: The Practical Guide for Conscious Travellers
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