Held at the Montien Surawong Hotel and co-organized with Charlton Media Group, the one-day summit impressed not only with its flawless logistics but with its forward-thinking agenda, sharp moderation, and meaningful conversations. From the opening keynote to the final panel, the event moved with purpose—and a clear eye on the future.

Among the most forward-looking sessions was “The Role of Gen Z in the Interconnected Future of Travel” which explored how this rising generation of travelers is reshaping expectations across hospitality, experience design, and sustainability.

Moderated by Patrick Cronin, Vice President of MEAPAC Hotel Sourcing at HBX Group, the panel featured:

Ms. Wyn Liu, CEO of Discova
Ms. Nid Wongphanlert, Managing Owner of 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts
Mr. Benjamin Rujopakarn, Editor-in-Chief of Thailand NOW

Digital Fluency and Meaningful Messaging

Nid stressed the importance of owning and curating a brand’s digital presence. “Yes, work with KOLs,” she said, “but your own social media must be current, engaging, and easily found.” In an attention economy, visibility equals viability.

Wyn emphasized Gen Z’s increasing demand for transparency and meaning. “There’s a lot of noise,” she said. “They care about impact, but they need to see where their money is going.” At Discova, that means clearly communicating how community-based tourism benefits local stakeholders.

Nid elaborated on 137 Pillars’ sustainability pillars: environmental action, CSR programs aligned with brand values, and strong commitments to local procurement. These aren’t slogans, she noted—they’re operational principles.

A Voice of Vision and Innovation

Mr. Benjamin Rujopakarn, who earlier in the day led a compelling fireside chat titled “Catching the Next Wave of Thai Tourism” brought depth and imagination to the Gen Z panel as well. Representing Thailand NOW, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official digital platform, Ben proposed one of the most original ideas of the day: gamification as a driver for sustainability.

“Why not make it rewarding to do good?” he asked, suggesting a ‘green passport’ where guests could track and earn points for sustainable choices throughout their stay. It’s an approach that aligns Gen Z’s desire for both impact and interactivity.

Ben then moved into personalization, proposing the use of personality assessments combined with generative AI to create travel experiences designed around who guests are—not just where they’re going. “We already see this in consumer tech,” he said. “The travel industry has an opportunity to adapt and lead.”

Nid offered examples from 137 Pillars’ own approach to tailored experiences, including private arts and culture tours designed to reflect each guest’s interests. While personalization is in demand, she noted, the real challenge lies in delivering it at scale without losing quality or meaning.

Together, the panelists painted a clear picture of Gen Z travelers: digitally native, purpose-driven, and eager for experiences that reflect their values and identities.

The session was a standout in a day full of standouts—This conversation was one of many highlights at the TDM C-Suite Travel Trade Global Summit 2025—a conference that proved, from start to finish, that smart curation and forward-focused dialogue still matter.

Congratulations to Gary Marshall, the TDM team, and the Charlton Media Group for producing an on-time, well-paced summit that delivered the kind of energy the industry craves right now: smart, sincere, and inspirational.

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