Studio 88 Artist Residency was honoured to take part in the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2025 (PDMF 2025), held from 1–3 December at The Heritage Chiang Rai Hotel & Convention, Chiang Rai. The forum brought together over 320 delegates from 18 destinations worldwide, representing more than 200 public and private organisations, academic institutions, and creative practitioners, all engaged in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for tourism.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the organisers, speakers, distinguished guests, delegates, and the entire team behind PDMF 2025 for the thoughtful organisation and the depth of insight shared throughout the event. The forum created a generous space for dialogue, learning, and connection across sectors and disciplines.
A Destination from the Artists’ Perspective
Studio 88 Director Sasiwimon Wongjarin was invited to moderate the panel session “A Destination from the Artists’ Perspective,” which explored how artists contribute to tourism by fostering deeper relationships between visitors, nature, culture, and community.
The session featured Somluk Pantiboon, pottery artist and founder of Doy Din Dang Pottery in Chiang Rai, and Rachel Gray, a British wildlife artist based in Malaysia. Through their distinct yet complementary practices, both artists demonstrated how long-term commitment, sensitivity to place, and creative self-sufficiency can shape meaningful destination experiences.
Somluk shared his decades-long journey of building a pottery studio rooted in local knowledge, natural materials, and sustainable practices. His work—using local soil, celadon glaze, and chemical-free processes—extends beyond craft into community education, ecological stewardship, and cultural continuity. His long-term vision, including reforestation efforts begun over 30 years ago and the development of learning and wellness spaces within a forest setting, illustrated how patience and intention can quietly shape sustainable tourism over time.
Rachel Gray offered insights into her wildlife art practice, which blends traditional techniques with digital tools and is informed by immersive fieldwork in natural habitats. Her work, exhibited internationally and in collaboration with organisations such as WWF and global climate platforms, highlighted how art can translate emotional and ecological narratives into powerful visual languages. She emphasized the untapped potential for collaboration between artists and tourism professionals in communicating sense of place and environmental value.
Together, the session underscored how artists help reveal the extraordinary within everyday landscapes—elements often overlooked by locals yet deeply compelling to visitors—and how art can act as a gateway to eco-tourism, wellness tourism, and deeper cultural engagement.
Alignment with Studio 88’s Vision
The conversations resonated strongly with the vision and core values of Studio 88 Artist Residency. As a creative home where global voices meet local roots, Studio 88 believes in the power of art to interact with nature, people, and culture in daily life—challenging perspectives and inspiring alternative ways of thinking. One of Studio 88’s key thematic focuses is Reviving Nature, which encourages both local and international audiences to critically engage with environmental issues and to consider how artistic practice can contribute to the restoration of natural ecosystems.
Key themes emerging from the panel—intentional space creation, community-centred practice, long-term ecological thinking, and the use of local materials—reflect Studio 88’s commitment to socially engaged art and intercultural exchange around the pressing issues of our time. The forum reaffirmed that sustainable tourism is most meaningful when it grows from authenticity, collaboration, and care for both people and place.
Gratitude and Looking Forward
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) (DASTA), and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for the invitation to contribute to this important forum. Our gratitude also extends to all fellow panelists and speakers whose insights enriched the programme and fostered valuable connections.
PDMF 2025 reinforced a shared understanding: artists play a vital role in shaping destination narratives that are culturally grounded, environmentally responsible, and human-centred. Studio 88 looks forward to continued dialogue and collaboration with partners across the tourism and cultural sectors, working together toward more meaningful and sustainable futures.
More about Saswimon Wongjarin on Studio 88 Artist Residency’s website.
Studio 88 accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Check out our residency program and apply now.
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