Rethinking Digital Nomadism Digital nomadism is emerging as a significant and influential segment within global tourism. These location-independent professionals blend work and travel, often staying in destinations for weeks or months rather than just days. Their presence is prompting destinations to rethink traditional tourism models, focusing on long-term infrastructure, community integration, and supportive policies that cater to the needs of this mobile, high-value audience. Miloš Pelucha, co-founder of Destinova, shares insights from his years of living and working as a digital nomad. He reflects on a common oversight among many destinations: “A lot of places want digital nomads, but they don’t truly understand who they are or what they need. It’s not just about giving them a visa;...

Beyond the Numbers: Rethinking Thailand’s Approach to Tourism Thailand’s tourism industry is at a crucial juncture. Although international arrivals have rebounded strongly since the pandemic, they have declined compared to the figures from last year. The significant decrease in Chinese tourists, formerly the country’s largest source market, has raised concerns. Visitor numbers from China in early 2025 have dropped by 32 percent compared to the previous year. For a destination that once welcomed nearly 11 million Chinese visitors annually, this decline is more than just a statistical blip; it signifies a shift that necessitates a bold reevaluation of tourism strategies. A Changing Landscape in Numbers In 2024, Thailand experienced a remarkable recovery, welcoming over 35 million international...

Building Capacity and Targeting the Right Visitors: A Unified Strategy for High-Yield Tourism Rethinking the False Choice: Volume vs. Value For years, the tourism sector has been trapped in a false dichotomy: either you expand capacity to attract more visitors, or you limit access to focus on higher yields. However, in today’s fragmented, digitally driven, and values-led travel landscape, this binary view is outdated. As discussed in Episode 12 of the High-Yield Tourism Podcast, there’s no contradiction between building tourism capacity and targeting optimal market segments. In fact, pursuing both strategies can help destinations attract higher-value visitors, enhance local experiences, and future-proof their tourism economies. “High-yield tourism focuses on optimizing source markets and segments,...

Tourism Today: A Landscape in Flux Recent years have dramatically changed the tourism ecosystem. Following COVID-19, volatile travel patterns have emerged, driven by several key factors: Changing Consumer Preferences: Travelers now seek personalized, meaningful, sustainable, or “Instagrammable” experiences. Digital Revolution & AI: From AI-powered virtual trip planning to chatbots that feel like local friends, technology now supports every stage of travel. Geopolitical Factors and Conflicts: Destinations once considered stable are now experiencing shifts in travel patterns due to global conflicts. Currency Fluctuations: Changes in exchange rates can significantly influence travel decisions, particularly for cost-sensitive travelers. Let’s examine how each trend is reshaping...