Thailand's Phuket province has been selected by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to host the GSTC 2026 global conference in April 2026, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) announced on Thursday.

GSTC is a global tourism organisation that has set tourism indicators and standards for long-term development, such as green and low-carbon tourism. The council's executives met in Stockholm, Sweden on Thursday to select the host for the 2026 conference.

As a central agency in proposing Phuket as the GSTC host, TCEB said it has been working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, and local agencies in preparing the southern island of Phuket to organise the world-class event.

"Hosting the GSTC 2026 will highlight Phuket's position as a regional tourism hub and a global centre for the sustainable MICE industry," said TCEB in a statement.

The bureau added that the event would also help boost the profile of the Andaman economic corridor, which comprises the provinces of Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Trang and Satun.

With Regenerative Tourism as its theme, the GSTC 2026 is expected to be joined by over 700 participants in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries from 60 countries. The event is expected to generate some 50 million baht of revenue for the local economy.