The 6th Thai - Japan Tourism Working Group Meeting between the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute ASEAN – India Regional Office
On Friday, 13th February 2026 Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute ASEAN-lndia Regional (JTTRI-AIRO) and Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) will hold the 6th Tourism Working Group Meeting in the theme of "Mission and Role of DMOs". In this sixth session, we will focus on Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), which serve as the central coordinating bodies for regional tourism development from a regional management perspective. We will introduce their current status, challenges, and initiatives, and engage in an exchange of views. For both Japan and Thailand - countries facing social issues such as aging populations and the need to revitalize regional economies - leveraging tourism as a driver for regional development is one of the most promising solutions.
To accelerate efforts toward achieving sustainable tourism and ensure effective implementation, Japan and Thailand have been collaborating since February 2023, when the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand co-hosted the event ”Shifting Tourism for the Post-Pandemic Era - How should Thailand and Japan work towards Quality Tourism?”. In addition, five rounds of discussions have been held focusing primarily on tourism promotion measures in local regions. These discussions have identified key challenges and solutions, and this Working Group aims to explore their applicability across the ASEAN region.
Through the discussions at this event, we aim to contribute to the realization of high-quality, sustainability-conscious tourism and to the enhancement and expansion of international exchanges across diverse fields, including culture and academia.
The 6th Tourism Working Group Meeting
Date & Time
13th February (Fri) 2026
11:30-14:30 (ICT)
13:30-16:30 (JST)
Venue
On Site: JTTRI 2nd Floor Meeting Room [Invitation Only]
Online : Zoom Webinar
Theme
Mission and Role of DMOs
Organizer
- Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute（JTTRI）
- Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute ASEAN - India Regional Office（JTTRI-AIRO）
- Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS)
Cooperated by
- Japan Tourism Agency (JTA)
Program
Opening Remarks (10 Mins)
- Mr. SHUKURI Masafumi, Chairman
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI)
- Ms. Natthriya THAWEEVONG, Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS)
Introduction of Attendees (5 Mins)
Greeting from Guest of Honor (5 Mins)
- H.E. Mr. Witchu VEJJAJIVA, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to Japan
Royal Thai Embassy, Tokyo
Keynote Lecture (15 Mins)
- Mr. MURATA Shigeki, Commisoner
Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), Ministry of Land, Infrastucture, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
Experts Presentation (30 Mins)
- Toward a Sustainable Tourism Destination Open to the World
～From “熊野古道 (Kumano Kodo)” to “KUMANO KODO”～
Presentation by Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau
- Ms. TADA Noriko, Director
Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau
- Community-based Tourism (CBT) development under the role of DASTA
Presentation by DASTA
- Dr. Wassana PONGSAPAN, Director
Community-based Tourism Office, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) (Public Organization)
Break (10 Mins)
Experts Presentation (30 Mins)
- Possible contributions by Airlines to Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development
Presentation by JTTRI
- Mr. KAMBE Masanori, Senior Research Fellow
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI)
- "From Collaboration to Competitiveness" Co-Creating a Sustainable MICE Destination
Presentation by TCEB
- Ms. Supanich THIANSING, Director
Meetings and Incentives Department, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) (Public Organization)
Discussion (60 Mins)
Panelist
Japanese side (8 persons)
- Mr. OKUDA Tetsuya, President, Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute ASEAN-India Regional Office (JTTRI-AIRO) (Co-Chiar)
- Mr. SAITO Takashi, Director, Inbound Tourism Promotion Division, Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) ,Ministry of Land, Infrastucture, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
- Mr. TAKENAKA Masato, Executive Director, Global Strategy Headquarters, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
- Mr. SASAKI Rintaro, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Thailand
- Mr. NAKASUGI Hajime, President, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Bangkok Office
- Ms. TADA Noriko, Director, Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau
- Mr. KAMBE Masanori, Senior Research Fellow, Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI)
- Mr. TOMTA Akihiro, Executive Director, Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute ASEAN-India Regional Office (JTTRI-AIRO) (Secretary of WG)
Thai Side (7 persons)
- Ms. Natthriya THAWEEVONG, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) (Co-Chair)
- Ms. Naranya BANG-OR, Chief of the International Affairs Sub-Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Secretary of WG)
- Mrs. Witchanee VUTHIPONGSE , Expert on Tourist Attraction Development, Acting Director of Tourism Professional Development DivisionTourist Attraction Development Division, Department of Tourisma (DOT)
- Mr. Krida SRISOMWONG, Tourism Investment Planning Division, TAT
- Dr. Wassana PONGSAPAN,Community-based Tourism Office, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA)
- Ms. Supanich THIANSING, Director of Meetings and Incentives Department, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
- Asst.Prof. Supawadee Photiyarach, Senior Specialist, Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI)
Contents:
- Topics will be inserted later
Closing Remark (10 Mins)
- Ms. Natthriya THAWEEVONG, Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS)
- Mr. OKUDA Tetsuya, President for International Affairs/ President
JTTRI, JTTRI-AIRO
Registration
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