Discovering opportunities for Japanese university students through academic exchange, community-based tourism, and experiential learning
The ASEAN-Japan Centre and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), co-organized an Education Travel Familiarization Trip to Thailand, bringing together four university educators and two media representatives from Japan to explore opportunities for developing educational tourism programs for Japanese university students.
Through meetings with tourism authorities and universities, as well as visits to community-based tourism initiatives and cultural, natural, and urban attractions, the delegation examined how Thailand’s diverse tourism resources could be integrated into future educational travel programs.
The six-day program provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with Thai stakeholders, explore potential academic partnerships, and identify tourism experiences that combine cultural understanding, practical learning, and meaningful interaction with local communities.
Engaging with Thailand’s Tourism and Higher Education Sectors
Tourism Authority of Thailand: Exploring the Potential of Educational Travel
The delegation visited the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Headquarters in Bangkok. During the visit, TAT delivered a presentation entitled “Prospects of Thailand for Higher Education Study Tours: Transitioning from Tourism to Experiential Learning.” The presentation explored opportunities to develop educational tourism programs for Japanese university students, highlighting the potential to move beyond conventional sightseeing toward immersive experiences that support learning, cultural exchange, and international understanding.
The subsequent question-and-answer session provided an opportunity to exchange views on Thailand’s potential as a destination for educational travel and to consider approaches to developing programs that respond to the needs of Japanese universities and students.
Visiting Potential Academic Partners: Sripatum University and Khon Kaen University
The delegation visited Sripatum University (SPU) in Bangkok and Khon Kaen University to explore opportunities for academic cooperation and educational travel programs for Japanese university students.
At SPU, participants were introduced the university’s curriculum and potential programs for welcoming Japanese students. Discussions highlighted the benefits of cultural exchange, access to medical services, and destination safety, as well as the value of having a Japanese-speaking faculty member or coordinator to facilitate communication and program management.
At Khon Kaen University, the Center of Asia Pacific for Tourism (CAPTOUR) hosted a presentation and discussion session attended by university representatives, local tourism stakeholders, and business owners. The university introduced its curriculum and student-led activities, while participants exchanged views on potential student exchange initiatives and educational tourism cooperation between Thailand and Japan.
These visits provided insights into potential academic partnerships and highlighted the importance of collaboration among universities, tourism stakeholders, and local communities in developing educational programs that combine academic learning with cross-cultural experiences.
Discovering Diverse Learning Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
In addition to the institutional visits, the delegation explored a range of tourism destinations and experiences to assess their potential for future educational travel programs.
The program included a community-based tourism (CBT) experience at Mekin Farm and a visit to Phu Wiang National Park in Khon Kaen Province. These visits offered opportunities to explore how community activities, local livelihoods, and natural environments could be incorporated into educational itineraries.
In Bangkok, the delegation visited Wat Pak Nam, ICONSIAM, and Song Wat Road, experiencing different aspects of Thailand’s cultural heritage, contemporary urban development, and evolving tourism landscape.
Collectively, the site visits demonstrated the diversity of experiences Thailand can offer Japanese university students. Depending on the educational objectives of each program, these resources could be combined to create itineraries incorporating community engagement, environmental learning, cultural exploration, historical perspectives, and contemporary urban experiences.
Looking Ahead
The familiarization trip provided valuable insights into opportunities for educational tourism cooperation between Thailand and Japan. Participants noted that Thailand’s long experience in tourism development and its research-based approaches to tourism challenges could offer useful lessons for Japan.
They also highlighted Thailand’s potential to attract younger Japanese students, many of whom have limited overseas travel experience. With its proximity to Japan, safety, cultural similarities and differences, and relatively good value for money, Thailand could offer an accessible and enriching introduction to international travel through educational programs.
Building on these insights, the ASEAN-Japan Centre will continue to explore opportunities to share the findings with relevant stakeholders and promote collaboration among universities, tourism authorities, and industry partners to advance educational tourism between Thailand and Japan.
