First “Politically Incorrect” Tourism Webinars Launched in Thailand
"Current industry forums are an insult to the intelligence of participants"
Bangkok, Thailand, 9 July 2025 - A new series of Travel & Tourism webinars designed to broaden the focus of industry discourse to cover "Politically Incorrect" subjects has been launched in Thailand. The first one is set for July 18 on the topic of "What Next for Thai Tourism? - Life After 65".
The webinars have been conceptualised and designed by Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor of Travel Impact Newswire, one of the longest serving travel trade journalists in the Asia-Pacific. He describes a "Politically Incorrect" webinar as one which "goes beyond the traditional comfort zones, steers clear of mumbo-jumbo sloganeering, and promotes an honest, intellectually-stimulating, respectful and productive discussion of issues that matter. Nothing, repeat NOTHING, is off the table."
"Current industry forums are an insult to the intelligence of participants," Muqbil says. "The topics all steer clear of anything even remotely controversial for fear of upsetting the organisers and/or sponsors. The speakers all land up saying the same thing. The questions are whetted and routed via moderators or through apps where they can be selectively chosen. Does that contribute to a productive, interactive session? I don't think so."
Mr Muqbil says that Thailand is the best launchpad for such a project.
He says, "Thailand ended the first half of 2025 with visitor arrivals of 16.7 million, down -4.6% over the first half of 2024. What was once the leading tourism destination in Asia is now one of the worst performing. A desperate industry is working overtime to crank up the numbers. However, it is only treating the symptoms. The root causes run much deeper and have been building up for years, mainly because they were kept off the table."
Unfortunately, he says, the Thai tourism industry is still failing to ask itself some critical "Politically Incorrect" questions, such as:
Is it repeating all its past mistakes?
As an ageing destination, what “health & wellness” therapies are required?
Is the Tourism Authority of Thailand on the right track?
Is the industry leadership ready and up to the mark?
He adds, "I go to dozens of industry forums where the same old line-up of ”visionary, thought-leaders" rehash the same old textbook solutions, Garbage in then leads to garbage out. Travel & Tourism deserves better. It is no longer an economic lifeline but a source of national security. As the industry is constantly talking about change, its own discussion forums must mature and change, too."
The July 18 session will include a carefully-researched analysis of visitor arrivals over the first six months from 75 source markets, which Mr Muqbil says provides clear indicators of where the future marketing opportunities lie. That will be followed by a discussion of the "Politically Incorrect" topics to explore some underlying, long-term solutions.
The webinar's core strength is that it is independent and unsponsored, so participants will have to pay to cover the costs of research, organization and analysis. Those who see the value of that approach are welcome.