The World Travel & Culture Expo (WTCE) 2026 was held from 29 to 31 October 2026 at the IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center in Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand. The event was organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in cooperation with the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), the Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association (TCTA), and Guangdong Grandeur International Exhibition Group.
Participation and Exhibition Zones
WTCE 2026 brought together Thai, Chinese, and international businesses and partners from 18 countries across tourism, culture, technology, sport, entertainment, and creative industries. The expo featured three principal zones: TAAPE – Amusement & Attraction, ASE – Audio • Stage
• Entertainment, and TBE – Billiards & Indoor Sports. An Art Toys & Creative Economy zone connected collectibles, toys, design, and pop culture with product development and brand collaboration.
Leadership and Strategic Focus
The official opening on 29 October 2026 was presided over by Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT. Also attending were Mr. Jeerayu Jarukittivorakan, Secretary-General of TCT, and Mr. Wang Zhaoyun, CEO of Guangdong Grandeur International Exhibition Group. Ms. Thapanee emphasized WTCE 2026’s role in creating new business opportunities and wider economic value through TAT’s Partnership 360°, connecting tourism with culture, sport, technology, and the creative industries. The event supported Thailand’s strategic
direction towards a High-Value and Meaningful Destination, focusing on value over volume.
Industry Summits and Tourism Priorities
The World Amusement and Attractions Development Summit (WAS) took place on 29–30 October 2026, and the World Billiards Club Development Summit (WBS) was held on 30 October 2026 at the same venue. Ms. Denduen Luengcheng, TAT Executive Director of the Tourism Product Department, presented “Future of Tourism & Trusted Thailand,” outlining TAT’s five tourism priorities: Wellness & Longevity, Festival Economy, Creative Economy, Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism, and Trusted Thailand. WAS sessions covered night tourism, immersive entertainment, water-park development, integrated resorts, family entertainment centres, cultural tourism, and theme-park and
family entertainment centre investments in Southeast Asia. WBS sessions explored sustainable cue-sports ecosystems and growth opportunities in India and Thailand’s billiards industry transformation from sport to a global business.
Diplomatic Significance and Industry Cooperation
WTCE 2026 marked 51 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China, expanding bilateral cooperation beyond travel and tourism into entertainment and culture. The expo connected buyers, sellers, investors, business owners, project developers, and service providers to explore partnerships and develop products for the visitor economy, reinforcing Thailand’s role as the Tourism and Entertainment Hub of ASEAN.
