Bangkok, July 21 (AseanAll) — On July 21, 2025, Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan disclosed that the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) (DASTA) received top honor at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Grand Awards 2025 for its tourism community model “Ban Na Ton Chan Homestay Community Enterprise”.

This is the first time a Thai community received top award at the PATA Grand Award, which reflects global recognition of the country’s effort and achievement in advancing sustainable tourism. Aside from the top award, DASTA projects grabbed another 5 gold awards at the PATA Grand Award 2025 as follows:

PATA Grand Award 2025 for Sustainability and Social Responsibility (SSR): Sustainable Cultural Heritage Preservation of the Ban Na Ton Chan Homestay Community Enterprise

PATA Gold Awards

· Best Climate Action Initiative (Destination): Carbon Neutral Community-based Tourism Prototype

· Tourism for All: Best Inclusion and Diversity Initiative: Community-based Tourism for All : CBT for All)

· Destination Resilience (All Destinations): Creative Spaces Revitalizing the Old Town into a Lively Heritage District

· Best Women Empowerment Initiative: Women’s Empowerment in Driving Community-Based Tourism: A Case Study of Ban San Thang Luang, Chiang Rai Province

· Best Youth Empowerment Initiative: SE For Youth in Thailand - Loei Youth Saving Group / SE For Youth in Thailand

The achievements are the result of co-creation-based implementation, which emphasized participation of all concerned sectors, including local tourism communities and partner networks, from co-thinking, co-planning, and co-implementation to shared responsibility, mutual benefits, and joint ownership. The projects are implemented through participatory development processes and continuous monitoring and evaluation in accordance with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC).

The award-winning communities will be the models for elevation of tourism quality and standard toward international levels. This supports the Government's policy of attracting high-potential, quality tourists in order to generate income and promote sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities."