WAS-Bangkok 2026 Concludes Successfully_Dynamic_Thailand(Bangkok) Amusement & Attraction Parks Expo （TAAPE 2026）

The 2026 World Attractions Summit (WAS-Bangkok 2026) concluded successfully on 29–30 October at IMPACT Exhibition Centre in Bangkok. Focusing on Southeast Asia, the summit brought together tourism authorities, theme park and destination developers, operators, and content, equipment and technology providers from Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Australia and Europe.

Through keynote presentations and two in-depth panel discussions, speakers explored destination development in the experience economy, night-time tourism, immersive entertainment, and new investment opportunities in theme parks and family entertainment centres (FECs). Discussions spanned strategy, investment models and operational practice, examining market opportunities, industry challenges and future trends.

From Property Development to Experience Creation : Decoding Integrated Lifestyle Destinations —— 29 Oct

Ms Denduen Luengcheng, Executive Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

On the afternoon of 29 October, the summit explored the shift from property development to experience creation. Ms Denduen Luengcheng, Executive Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, opened with FUTURE OF TOURISM & TRUSTED THAILAND, outlining Thailand’s tourism vision and the Trusted Thailand brand strategy, while highlighting wider opportunities for tourism development across Southeast Asia.

Michael Hanlon, Director of Business Development at LASERVISION

Claude Rety, CEO of RH1

Dr Lawrence Li Tan, President and CEO of Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corp

Joseph Courtemanche, CEO of Sun Group Entertainment

Jaakko Kiesvaara, CEO of Toy Group Thailand

Alan Mahony, Chief Operations Officer of Hainan Keyestone Properties Development Co., Ltd.

Industry leaders then shared practical insights. Michael Hanlon, Director of Business Development at LASERVISION, explored how water parks can create world-class night-time experiences. Claude Rety, CEO of RH1, examined the consumer shifts driving social, interactive and immersive entertainment. Dr Lawrence Li Tan, President and CEO of Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corp., presented the “4S” framework for creating memorable guest experiences. Joseph Corbo Courtemanche, Eng, MBA, CEO of Sun Group Entertainment, discussed Vietnam’s potential as an emerging entertainment destination in Asia. Jaakko Kiesvaara, CEO of Toy Group Thailand, shared lessons from Nordic indoor snow and ice attractions for tropical markets. Alan Mahony, Chief Operations Officer of Hainan Keyestone Properties Development Co., Ltd., explored the development and operation of integrated resorts and IP-led destinations in Asia.

The panel discussion, From Real Estate to Experience – How Attractions Are Shaping the Future of Integrated Lifestyle Destinations, featured Greg Condon MRICS of Cushman & Wakefield, Lennard Francois Otto, CEO of Global Leisure & Entertainment, and Michael Hariz, Chief Commercial Officer of AWC. They examined how attractions are reshaping destination development, how projects should be selected and assessed, and how investors can balance capital costs with long-term profitability. The discussion also covered multi-use integration, long-term supplier value and the outlook for Southeast Asia over the next five to ten years, offering a comprehensive view of destination planning, investment, delivery and operations.

SE Asia Focus: Theme Parks & FECs as New Investment Engines —— 30 Oct

On the morning of 30 October, the summit turned its focus to investment opportunities across Southeast Asia.

Pooja Shah, Co-Founder of Peach Prime Consultancy

Andreas Küsters, Senior Sales Manager at Wibit Sports GmbH

Sungchae Jung, President of the WCTA

Zak Gelfand and Dennie Renessis of Funlab Pty Ltd

Pooja Shah, Co-Founder of Peach Prime Consultancy, stressed that FECs must move beyond simply adding equipment, using distinctive experiences to increase dwell time and create lasting memories. Andreas Küsters, Senior Sales Manager at Wibit Sports GmbH, explored how water adventure attractions can go beyond traditional inflatables to improve profitability. Sungchae Jung, President of the WCTA, offered a global perspective on tourism and cultural development. Drawing on Funlab’s 25 years of experience, Zak Gelfand and Dionysios (Dennie) Renessis of Funlab Pty Ltd shared practical insights into space optimisation and the creation of engaging entertainment destinations.

The panel discussion, Southeast Asia - The Next Growth Engine for Global Theme Park and FECs Investment, brought together Tarandeep Singh Sekhon, CBO of KidZania India; Daniel Sutiono, Director of PT. Funworld Prima, Indonesia; and Jordan Ritchie, International Sales Manager at FOG Technologies. They explored market expansion, how FECs can add value to mixed-use developments, differentiation strategies, interactive attraction trends, edutainment, localisation, repeat visits and return on investment, drawing on practical examples from regional markets.

Moving Forward: Building Southeast Asia's Tourism & Entertainment Future

WAS Bangkok connected government bodies, property developers, resort operators and attractions suppliers, creating new opportunities for cross-sector collaboration. As property development shifts towards the experience economy, attractions are becoming a key driver of integrated destinations rather than merely an added feature. Southeast Asia’s large population and young consumer base also make it an attractive market for theme park and FEC investment, although competition, localisation and returns remain key challenges.

Although the summit has concluded, the industry’s journey continues. WAS will continue to provide an international platform for exchange and collaboration, connect global tourism and entertainment resources, and work with industry partners to unlock Southeast Asia’s potential and advance the theme park, attractions and leisure sectors across the Asia-Pacific region.

Introduction