Department of Intellectual Property Highlights Surge in Tourism Technology Patents, Positions Thailand as ASEAN Innovation Hub

The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has released an analysis of global patent trends in tourism-related technologies, revealing a major transformation of the tourism industry toward full-scale technology adoption. The study, based on worldwide patent data from 2006 to 2025, indicates significant opportunities for innovation-driven tourism development, with Thailand recording a strong annual growth rate of 145 percent in tourism technology innovation.

Mrs. Oramon Sapthaweetham, (อรมน ทรัพย์ทวีธรรม) Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, stated that tourism has long been a key driver of Thailand’s economy, contributing approximately 10–15 percent of GDP and serving as a defining image of the country. The patent analysis shows that while tourism-related patents were limited in 2006, their number increased sharply over the past decade—from 795 to more than 3,000 patents—demonstrating that modern tourism can no longer rely solely on destination appeal but must integrate technology to enhance value and traveler experience across the entire journey.

Globally, China ranks first in tourism technology patents with more than 2,000 filings, growing at over 144 percent annually, driven by investments in virtual reality, sustainable tourism, and artificial intelligence for destination management. The United States and Western Europe follow, although growth in those markets has begun to slow. India stands out as the fastest-growing market, with an annual growth rate exceeding 292 percent, fueled by online travel platforms, AI-driven travel analytics, and sustainability policies. Thailand, while holding a smaller number of patents, has emerged as a high-potential player, particularly in service innovation and health-related tourism technologies.

The analysis identifies three key technology trends shaping the future of tourism. These include virtual reality technologies that support immersive destination experiences and travel decision-making; sustainable tourism technologies such as smart hotels, green transport, and carbon management systems; and artificial intelligence applications that personalize travel planning and enhance real-time services through data analytics and virtual assistants.

The DIP emphasized that Asia will play a leading role in driving smart and sustainable tourism innovation. For Thailand, opportunities remain wide open. The department recommends accelerating domestic patent development, attracting global technology leaders to conduct research and development in Thailand, and integrating technology with the country’s cultural capital, natural resources, local communities, and soft power assets such as cuisine, wellness tourism, and traditional sports.

By systematically leveraging intellectual property and innovation, Thailand has strong potential to become an ASEAN hub for tourism technology development and a key player in the global innovation-driven tourism market in the future.