Learning by travelling - Meaningful Tourism for students
Dear reader,
your humble editor was back from the 5th International Association of Chinese Tourism Scholars (IACTS) Biennial Conference hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in Hong Kong. However, a colleague from Beijing urgently needed an international tourism expert for another conference in Beijing, and therefore, I am back in China already, the fifth time this year.
The People's Government of Mentougou District, Beijing, is hosting on August 15th, 2025, the Third Yongding River Green Development Forum and the Symposium on Ecological Protection and Green Development with the topic "Ecological Integration - Harmonious Coexistence". In a forum and two subforums, ecological development achievements will be discussed.
Mentougou is a district of the city of Beijing, but is covered up to 93% by forests and mountains. It is at the western edge of the city, not far from Haidian, the home of China’s most important research facilities and universities. Mentougou District has gained popularity as a leisure tourist destination, especially for the inhabitants of Beijing, attracted by the highest mountain in Beijing and several temples dating back more than 1,000 years.
Your humble editor will – no surprise here – talk about Meaningful Tourism, more specifically about “Ecological Integration and Harmonious Coexistence in Tourism: The Global Trend of Meaningful Tourism as a way to align economic development and ecological protection in nature-based tourism destinations”.
With increasingly frequent heatwaves tormenting the inhabitants of Beijing, an area like Mentougou, which is easily reachable by metro trains, can expect increasing numbers of visitors going on a short “coolcation”.
How to avoid falling into the trap of overtourism during the weekend and unused resources during the week, often witnessed in other recreational areas near the big cities in China, will be one of the topics, showing how a Meaningful Tourism approach can help for a holistic, sustainable and economically successful development.
In the coming week, the next group of Meaningful Tourism Transformational Game Workshop trainers will be certified, covering additional countries and bringing the number of Certified Trainers at your service up to 50.
In the week after that, both our Certified Trainers for Thailand and your humble editor will conduct an open Meaningful Tourism Transformational Game Workshop in Bangkok. See you there!
As always, all best wishes from Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt and the whole Meaningful Tourism Weekly team in Kathmandu and in Manila!
Meaningful Tourism Transformational Students Excursions: Advancing Student Learning and Community Development
The Meaningful Tourism Transformational Students Excursions is an initiative of the MTC Meaningful Tourism Centre that combines experiential learning with meaningful community engagement in Nepal and India.
The program allows hospitality and tourism students from universities around the world to develop practical skills, conduct applied research, and gain insights into sustainable tourism practices and the Meaningful Tourism tools, while simultaneously contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of host communities.
The student groups are organised by their host university, with MTC providing the coordination with the Certified Meaningful Tourism trainers in both the sending and the receiving country, a local university for academic quality assurance, local sustainable tourism tour operators for the professional organisation, and the local communities and NGOs in Nepal or India.
The students participate in immersive field experiences, in most cases staying in local homestays, learning about community-based tourism. They support local crafts and cuisine, and participate in projects addressing a variety of topics from heritage preservation, women’s empowerment, social inclusion, and climate change adaptation, leveraging local resources like festivals, etc.
By linking tourism with gender equity, economic development, and environmental sustainability, students learn how tourism based on Meaningful Tourism principles can generate income, empower women and marginalized groups, and support community-led adaptation to climate change. These experiences provide practical skills in project management, cross-cultural communication, and sustainable tourism practices, while simultaneously helping communities strengthen local capacities and develop resilient tourism models.
In times when students, on the one hand, have easy access to facts and information via AI, but on the other hand have less and less social skills based on real-world encounters and communication, traditional lecture-based education is no longer the fitting form for the education of future tourism and hospitality leaders.
MTC-organised Meaningful Tourism Transformational Excursions extend learning beyond the classroom, enabling students to develop critical thinking, cross-cultural competence, and practical skills while producing tangible benefits for communities across multiple countries.
By connecting applied research, experiential learning, and community engagement, they provide a model for tourism education that simultaneously advances student learning, fosters sustainable development, promotes gender equity, and strengthens community resilience in Nepal and India.
More countries, based on the extensive network of the Meaningful Tourism community, will follow in 2026. Interested universities or other Higher Education Institutions can contact MTC for details. Programs can be adapted and customised according to the needs and the focus of the study program of the home university.
Field trips are typically organised for two weeks, with group sizes between 10 and 30 students plus host university lecturers or professors.
Nepal's Bold Move: Free Climbs to 97 Peaks to Boost Remote Tourism
In an effort to spotlight its lesser-known regions, Nepal is waiving climbing fees for 97 Himalayan peaks over the next two years. These mountains, located in the remote Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, offer breathtaking beauty but have seen little tourist activity due to challenging access.
While Everest remains a magnet for climbers, with permit fees now rising to $15,000 during peak season, this initiative aims to shift attention to Nepal's "unexplored tourism products and destinations." These peaks, standing between 5,970m (19,590 ft) and 7,132m, could serve as ideal training grounds for aspiring Everest climbers, especially with new regulations requiring prior high-altitude experience.
Will this bold move bring sustainable tourism to Nepal's remote regions? And how will local communities adapt to a potential influx of climbers?
Meet the Trainer for the Meaningful Tourism Transformative Game Workshop
Nampetch Siramanon, Trainer for Thailand
Nampetch Siramanon brings a unique perspective to the tourism industry, having worked across multiple sectors before transitioning into the travel field over the past four years.
Her cross-industry background has equipped her with a deep understanding of sustainability, stakeholder communication, and brand development.
Specializing in ESG communication, sustainable tourism strategies, and experience design, Nampetch has contributed to national and regional initiatives that promote responsible tourism and measurable impact.
Her approach integrates strategic thinking with creative storytelling to inspire meaningful action across businesses and communities.
She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Innovation and is passionate about empowering others through training and collaboration to create long-term value for people and the planet.
The Meaningful Tourism Weekly asked Nampetch: What is the current situation of tourism in Thailand, and how can the Meaningful Tourism Paradigm help to support its development?
Her answer:
Current tourism situation
Tourism in Thailand continues to grow, attracting millions of visitors each year from key markets such as China, Malaysia, India, and Europe. Popular destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai remain strong magnets for travellers, but this also creates issues such as overcrowding, environmental stress, and unequal distribution of tourism income.
Many beautiful regions are still under-visited and could benefit from more promotion. Domestic travellers are also seeking fresh, unique, and meaningful experiences beyond the typical tourist spots.
How the Meaningful Tourism Paradigm can help
Meaningful Tourism focuses on ensuring tourism brings benefits to all — visitors, local communities, employees, businesses, the environment, and government.
For Thailand, it can help by:
1. Spreading benefits – Promoting secondary cities and rural destinations to share income more evenly and ease pressure on overcrowded areas.
2. Protecting culture and nature – Encouraging eco-friendly operations, waste reduction, and preservation of cultural heritage.
3. Enriching experiences – Offering authentic activities that connect visitors with local people, traditions, and conservation efforts.
4. Building skills – Training tourism workers to provide excellent service, tell cultural stories, and operate sustainably.
5. Following market trends – Meeting the demand for travel that is ethical, authentic, and good for the planet.
By applying Meaningful Tourism principles, Thailand can focus not just on increasing visitor numbers but on creating a tourism industry that is balanced, inclusive, and sustainable — delivering memorable experiences for travellers while helping communities and the environment thrive.
MTC Certified Trainers
With almost 50 Certified Trainers, many countries and regions of the world are already covered. However, MTC continues to look for professionals with experience in training or lecturing and a passion for sustainable tourism.
If you are interested in becoming a Certified Trainer for the Meaningful Tourism Transformational Game Workshop for a country not marked in dark green on the map above, please contact us at office@meaningfultourismcentre.org.
Meaningful Tourism Transformational Game Workshop
August 25, 2025, Bangkok
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) adopted the Vision Statement A Meaningful Pacific-Asia Tourism Economy with a 100% in favour vote during the PAS in Istanbul in April 2025.
One day before the PTM PATA Travel Mart 2025, on August 25, 2025, the Meaningful Tourism Centre (MTC) will host a special Meaningful Tourism Transformational Game Workshop, conducted by the inventor of the Meaningful Tourism paradigm, and founder of MTC, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt FRGS FRAS, together with the Meaningful Tourism trainers for Thailand.
If you are based in Thailand or you are a visitor to the PTM 2025, use this unique opportunity to learn how the Meaningful Tourism approach can enable your destination, company or organisation to survive and prosper in challenging times.
The transformational training workshop provides an interactive approach and introduces action-oriented tools. At the end of the day, you will understand why PATA chose a Meaningful Tourism Economy as the new vision and why you should follow the same path towards a sustainable and profitable future.
The workshop will run from 9:00 to 16:00 hours on August 25, 2025, the day before the PTM 2025 begins.
There are only 30 seats available, so book your seat now to profit from the Early Bird fee and to avoid disappointment.
Venue: Victor Club @FYI Center, 2nd floor of FYI Center Building 1 (directly connected to MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, venue of PTM).
Participation fee includes training workshop participation, a certificate of participation, a free VIP subscription for one year of the Meaningful Tourism Weekly, coffee/tea, cookies, and a vegetarian and non-vegetarian lunch buffet.
• Early Bird participation fee for bookings paid before August 15, 2025: USD 175 per person
• Full participation fee for bookings after August 15, 2025: USD 200 per person
VAT included if applicable.
• PATA members (including PATA chapter members) enjoy a 15% discount.
• Two or more seats booked at the same time enjoy an additional 10% discount.
• Payments are non-refundable. However, a change of participant is possible without additional fee until one day before the training workshop.
For further information and to make your booking, please contact office@meaningfultourismcentre.org.
On August 26, there will be a panel discussion on Meaningful Tourism with Prof. Arlt as one participant (only for participants of PTM).
Please visit the Meaningful Tourism Centre stand during the PTM 2025 at Booth D13.
Meaningful Tourism Transformational Game Workshop at World Travel Market, London
World Travel Market (WTM) in London is one of the must-attend annual events for key players in the tourism industry. The Meaningful Tourism Centre will offer a special Meaningful Tourism Transformational Game Workshop on the day before the start of WTM 2025, on November 3, 2025, from 9:00 to 16:00 hours. The workshop will be conducted by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt FRGS FRAS, the founder of MTC.
There are only 30 seats available, so if you already know that you will attend WTM 2025, make sure you arrange your schedule to arrive on time for the training workshop on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Book your seat now and enjoy the Early Bird fee.
Venue: Central London, details to be advised. Transport from/to the hotel or Excel London can be arranged on request at a special rate.
• Early Bird participation fee for bookings paid before September 30, 2025: 175 Euros per person
• Full participation fee for bookings starting October 1, 2025: 200 Euros per person
VAT included if applicable.
Two or more seats booked at the same time enjoy an additional 10% discount.
Please note that payments are non-refundable. However, a change of participant is possible without additional fee until one day before the training workshop.
The participation fee includes training workshop participation, a certificate of participation, one year of free access to all content, including the Meaningful Tourism Weekly Library reserved for paid subscription holders, coffee/tea, cookies, and a vegetarian and non-vegetarian lunch buffet.
On the evening of November 3, 2025, there will also be a (self-paid) dinner followed by drinks with an opportunity to network with participants and to meet several of the Meaningful Tourism trainers from different countries.
For bookings, please contact office@meaningfultourismcentre.org.
Bookings will be closed once 30 reservations have been reached. Book today and enjoy the Early Bird fee.
Join Dragon Trail on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, with two webinar sessions to choose from!
Webinar Invitation: August 27, 2025
Influencer Marketing for Chinese Outbound Tourism
What are the must-know developments in influencer marketing to reach Chinese outbound tourists? In Dragon Trail’s August webinar, they are covering new kinds of influencer marketing, new social media advertising channels, new target demographics, and how to work with key opinion leaders (KOLs) to promote new destinations and brands. Using recent case studies from Australia to the Arctic, they’ll show you how to work with Chinese influencers to promote travel sales, develop brand awareness, and expand market reach.
Presenter: Sienna Parulis-Cook, Director of Marketing and Communications, Dragon Trail International
Registration
The webinar will be held at two scheduled times to fit both Europe/Middle East/Africa and Americas time zones, and will be followed by a Q&A session. Registration is required to access this free webinar, and a copy of the presentation will be shared with attendees.
Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
1st Webinar Session – Recommended for residents in Europe and Asia
Time: 9am London (4pm Beijing)
Register for session 1
2nd Webinar Session – Recommended for residents in the Americas
Time: 5pm London (1pm Rio de Janeiro, 12pm NYC, 9am Los Angeles)
Register for session 2
About Meaningful Tourism Weekly
Meaningful Tourism Weekly, published every Thursday by Meaningful Tourism Centre (MTC) - London and Kathmandu, recently partnered with Travel Asia Now, led by Rhea Vitto Tabora. This collaboration enhances the newsletter’s professional production and distribution, bringing added value to our readers.
Each issue features the Meaningful Tourism Weekly Editorial, updates on MTC activities, a Best Practice Example, a portrait of an MTC-certified trainer, news about upcoming events, and occasionally additional op-ed pieces from guest authors. Carefully selected news items, including videos and podcasts, are also included, along with links to their original sources in the Meaningful Tourism News section.
Subscription to Meaningful Tourism Weekly is free, with the addition of a paid content section that includes a library of surveys, exclusive articles, conference presentations, and statistical data, offering subscribers invaluable resources.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for those interested in supporting this initiative.
For more information about MTC's trainings, market research, product adaptation, consulting services, conferences, strategy development, and marketing, visit our website or email us at info@meaningfultourismcentre.org.
