Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, the Director-General of Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), widely known as "Director Tan", has over 35 years of experience in the demand side of Thailand's tourism industry at the Tourism Authority of Thailand. He has played a key role in promoting, marketing and public relations, working in collaboration with various organizations across both public and private sectors at domestic and international levels. His expertise spans major international tourism markets across different continents as the Deputy Governor for International Marketing - Europe, Americas, Middle East, and Africa, a role he held until 5 April 2025. Now, Director Tan has transitioned to the supply side of Thailand’s tourism sector, having been appointed as the Director-General of DASTA since April 21, 2025. In this role, he is responsible for developing policies and strategic plans, coordinating efforts among government authorities, private entities, and local communities in DASTA’s designated areas in order to implement tourism plans and achieve sustainable tourist destination development. His works aim to ensure high-quality tourism management, and to efficiently address challenges and achieve sustainable tourism through the mobilization of personnel, budgets, and sustainable development tools.

Greg has been the CEO of Tourism Cares since 2019. He previously served on its board of directors, acting as its Chairman before becoming CEO. Prior to Tourism Cares, Greg was the president of Trip Mate, Inc., a travel insurance administrator. He began his 35-year career in the travel and tourism industry at The Mark Travel Corporation, where he served as general counsel. 

Greg serves on the board of the U.S. Travel Association and has served on the boards of NTA and the IGLTA Foundation, as well as numerous industry committees. He is from Chicago and has an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a juris doctor degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He currently resides in Orlando, Florida. 

Economic Distribution Disclosure Initiative

Ewan Cluckie is the Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Tripseed, a social purpose Destination Management Company based in Thailand. Tripseed crafts refined, tailor-made travel experiences for the international travel trade, while reinvesting over 50% of profits into initiatives that support local communities, champion gender equity, and promote economic transparency. A passionate advocate for responsible tourism, Ewan led the development of Tripseed’s pioneering Economic Distribution Disclosure Initiative and helped the company become one of only a handful of tourism businesses to join the Social Enterprise Thailand Association. With a background in global tour operator marketing and a Master’s in Marketing from Manchester Business School, Ewan now focuses on advancing inclusive, ethical, and legally compliant tourism practices across Southeast Asia. At the 2025 Global Meaningful Travel Summit, he is representing Tripseed’s commitment to building a more equitable and accountable future for travel.

Meaningful Travel Begins with Education

Vincie Ho, Ph.D. is the Founder and Executive Director of RISE Travel Institute, a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to create a more just and equitable world through travel education. She also serves as faculty at Antioch University, teaching human rights for their graduate programs in humane education. A disruptor, nonprofit leader, seasoned educator and woman immigrant of color with a hearing disability, Vincie is dedicated to driving systems change and fostering a community of conscious travelers through creating space for critical and intersectional conversations on power dynamics and justice issues in travel and beyond. In recognition of her impactful work, Vincie was nominated by tourism industry peers and honored on TravelPulse's prestigious List of Most Influential Women in Travel for 2024.

Community Tourism Impact Measurement

Kelly Galaski is a sustainable tourism professional with 25 years’ experience across the hospitality & tourism for- and non-profit sectors. From 11 years Kelly worked with rural and Indigenous communities on community tourism experience development at Planeterra, and served as Director of Global Programs for four years.  During that time she also developed responsible travel policies and sustainability practices for G Adventures.  From 2022 to 2024 Kelly served as a Sustainable Tourism Specialist at the Travel Foundation, working with destinations globally toward achieving climate-positive and equitable tourism goals via destination stewardship strategies and capacity building programs.  In 2024 Kelly returned to Planeterra where she now serves as Senior Director of Operations & Head of Global Impact. Kelly is passionate about the role tourism can play in community development, uplifting marginalized and underrepresented people and communities worldwide as well as in conservation, nature restoration, and climate resilience.

Alyssa Sands is the Director of Market Development at EF Ultimate Break, where she leads tour portfolio strategy, market expansion, and destination innovation for 18–35-year-old travelers. With a background in international event planning and a passion for meaningful, immersive experiences, she’s helped launch over 50 travel itineraries across five continents. Alyssa is particularly focused on integrating responsible tourism into EF Ultimate Break’s offerings—collaborating with communities, creative partners, and global teams to bring culturally rich, socially conscious travel to life. She’s a frequent traveler, proud New Englander, and firm believer that the best stories come from the people you meet along the way.

Nan Suwaree, originally from Northern Thailand, was born and raised in Lampang. She earned her degree in the Art Program in English from Naresuan University in 2006. With 17 years of experience as a tour guide, Nan has developed a deep passion for cultural exchange and sharing the rich history and beauty of Southeast Asia. She has led guided tours throughout Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, when tourism was heavily impacted, Nan took on a role as a transport officer, working in a technical capacity to support transportation operations. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and snorkeling.

Kotchaporn Tolahbut (Molly) was born in a small town in northern Thailand called Lampang. She graduated from Naresuan University, Phayao Campus, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and also completed certified tour guide license courses.

Molly is a seasoned travel operation specialist with over 15 years of experience in the tourism industry. She specializes in Southeast Asian destinations and is skilled in both leading tours and managing tour operations. Her passion lies in creating memorable travel experiences that leave a lasting impression on her clients.

In her free time, Molly enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Collaboration for Empowering Responsible Community-based Tourism: from Local to Global

Miss Wanvipa Phanumat has been involved in sustainable tourism management and community-based tourism development in Thailand for more than 20 years both in academic, public, and private sector. With a strong interest in sustainable tourism and belief in community empowerment, she is currently working as Chief Operating Officer at Local Alike Co., Ltd., a social enterprise committed to elevating the quality of life in local communities through sustainable and regenerative tourism. Previously, she served as the Director for Office of Community-based Tourism at Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization). She has been working with more than 100 communities around Thailand to develop sustainable community-based tourism projects with the objective of making sure the local community can yield the benefits from tourism development in the long term.

Privatized Conservation: Designing Land with Elephants and People in Mind

Vijo Varghese is the co-founder of OurLand Nature Reserve and Education Center in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. The reserve serves as a vital wildlife corridor for wild Asian elephants and many other species, connecting fragmented habitats near the Salakphra Sanctuary. An environmentalist at heart, Vijo left a corporate career to follow his passion for protecting wild spaces. At OurLand, he leads snake and wildlife rescue efforts, educates on the welfare of both captive and wild elephants, and welcomes schools and universities to learn directly from nature. He works closely with children and communities to address biophobia—the fear of nature—through playful, hands-on experiences that inspire people to reconnect with the natural world.

Impact Investing

Sarah Payne is the Senior Director of Impact & Operations at the UnTours Foundation, which has spent over 30 years investing its entire endowment into changemaking businesses around the world. The UnTours Foundation is also the proud owner of the world’s first Certified B Corporation, UnTours, a slow travel company that donates 100% of its profits to the foundation. Joining the team in 2023 as the foundation launched its Reset Tourism Fund, Sarah leads the management of the foundation's investment portfolio with a focus on providing flexible, affordable capital to small tourism businesses. Sarah has an interdisciplinary background history, business, and economic development which led her to study social entrepreneurship while earning her Master of Business Administration in Economic Development from Eastern University. She spent her early career consulting with businesses to improve their social and environmental impact, believing passionately in the power of people to use business as a force for good.