The ASEAN-Japan Centre(AJC) co-organized a seminar with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to introduce Thailand as a potential destination for educational travel programmes for Japanese university students. The seminar attracted 28 participants, primarily from travel agencies, who learned about the tourism resources and educational travel opportunities available in Bangkok and northeastern Thailand (Isan).
Seminar Highlights
The TAT introduced Thailand’s tourism landscape and diverse attractions, as well as the support available from TAT for planning and implementing educational travel programmes.
The AJC presented universities and tourism destinations in Bangkok and Khon Kaen visited during its familiarization trip. The presentation highlighted a range of opportunities for educational travel, including academic exchange with universities, community-based experiential tourism, and natural and historical attractions.
A university professor from Komazawa Women’s University, who participated in the familiarization trip, also shared insights based on first-hand observations in Thailand. The presentation highlighted Thailand’s potential as a field study destination for students of tourism. With tourism deeply embedded in Thai society and local communities, students can gain valuable insights by comparing the tourism industries and local communities of Thailand and Japan. Thailand also offers opportunities for practical learning through community-based tourism, culture, and food. The professor further shared the results of a student survey, which identified food as the experience students were most interested in exploring in Thailand.
The Japan-Thailand Business Forum introduced the tourism resources of the Isan region and the potential for developing new travel products, drawing on its experience visiting northeastern Thailand.
Survey Results and Future Outlook
All 21 survey respondents (100%) reported that the seminar helped deepen their understanding of educational travel products and tourism experiences in Thailand. Furthermore, 85% of respondents （17 out of 20）recognized Thailand’s potential as a destination for educational travel programmes for university students.
At the same time, participants identified challenges, including travel costs and securing local schools and organizations for exchange activities. Moving forward, AJC will continue to share information on local hosting arrangements and practical examples of educational travel programmes, supporting travel agencies and educational institutions in developing new travel products.
Please click here to view the seminar programme.
Co-organizers: Tourism Authority of Thailand and ASEAN-Japan Centre
Date: 20 October 2026 (Tuesday)
Venue: ASEAN Hall, ASEAN-Japan Centre
Participants: 28
