The 2026 edition of Eco Resort Network delivered another unforgettable gathering for regenerative hospitality leaders in Chiang Mai, Thailand – which many delegates described as its most thought-provoking and connected gathering yet.
Hosted exclusively at the beautiful Aleenta Retreat in Chiang Mai, the event brought together around 60 leading voices from the worlds of eco resorts, outdoor hospitality, wellness, regenerative tourism, design and sustainable development for several days of open discussion, collaboration and debate.
With delegates arriving directly from the swimming pool, dawn wellness sessions taking place before breakfast and conversations continuing long into the evening, the unique atmosphere once again set Eco Resort Network apart from more traditional hospitality conferences.
The setting itself played a central role in shaping the tone of the event, with Aleenta’s century-old teak buildings, lush gardens and deeply relaxed environment creating the perfect backdrop for honest conversations around the future of hospitality.
A major highlight was the second evening reception hosted at 137 Pillars House in association with APOLA. Delegates were welcomed into the historic property owned by the family of speaker Nida Wongphanlert for cocktails and networking in one of Chiang Mai’s most iconic hospitality settings.
Across the conference programme, one message repeatedly emerged: sustainability is no longer enough. Regeneration is now the direction of travel.
The speaker agenda explored this theme from multiple angles, including the human impact of regenerative hospitality projects, community empowerment, wellness, design, operations and future development models.
Powerful discussions from Peter Richards, his wife Premruethai Tosermkit – owner of Chiang Mai eco resort Harmony@Huailan – and Andrew Jones from Sanctuary Resorts explored the role hospitality can play in improving lives and creating meaningful positive impact beyond the guest experience itself.
Another standout moment came through the deeply personal and moving conversation between David Leventhal and his daughter Ariela, which many delegates described as one of the emotional highlights of the entire event on the subject of scaling without losing agency and the topic of legacy.
APOLA’s Asia-focused panel session offered rare insight into what is currently happening across multiple emerging hospitality markets throughout the region, including China, Cambodia and wider Southeast Asia. Topics ranged from permitting and development challenges to land selection and changing guest expectations.
Particular attention was given to the contribution of Koko Tang from Vinetree Resorts, who spoke about her philosophy of searching for locations untouched by visible human occupation to create true emotional disconnection and relaxation for guests. Other panellists included Robert Hecker, Managing Director (Asia Pacific) at Horwath HTL, Willem Niemeijer, Founder and CEO of VHG Hospitality Asia and Bastian Sagild, Co-Founder & CEO at Cloud Collective – providing an incredible overview of the talent and growth in the region.
Guy Heywood brought decades of luxury hospitality experience to the stage, delivering one of the event’s most talked-about sessions around “the new luxury”, challenging assumptions around what modern travellers truly value and where brands are sometimes losing authenticity in the pursuit of trend-driven sustainability narratives.
Lydia Tiasiri from Fenn Designers delivered a hugely practical and engaging session exploring circular economy principles within hotel operations and the importance of understanding how sustainability systems succeed or fail operationally. Joined on stage by (Natty) Nida Wongphanlert of 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts, the pair gave delegates a rare real-world insight into the challenges of implementing regenerative practices across active hospitality operations.
From the United States, Paula Oblen and Janice Wilson challenged delegates to rethink hospitality branding entirely, encouraging operators to create “a category of one” rather than competing in overcrowded markets. Their sessions explored AI-driven guest discovery, designing for niche audiences rather than mass appeal and having the confidence to stand apart from competitors.
One of the most anticipated sessions of the event once again proved to be the Titans of Tents panel, featuring Dave Court from Bushtec, Brendan O’Molony from Tenthouse Structures, Ueli Wick from Escape Nomade and Tom Butterfield from Eco Structures. The discussion tackled everything from global logistics and geopolitical instability to shifting customer expectations, booming and slowing regional markets and the importance of maintaining quality standards as outdoor hospitality expands globally. Panellists also warned of the risks posed by lower-quality suppliers entering the market and stressed the need for responsible operators and manufacturers to help protect the sector’s long-term reputation.
Brendan O’Molony also hosted the return of the now-famous fireside chat, following the success of last year’s session. This year’s discussion, titled “Conversion versus Creation: The Next Frontier in Sustainable Hospitality”, sparked lively debate around adaptive reuse, new-build development and the future direction of regenerative hospitality projects worldwide.
Alongside the formal programme, the event remained intentionally intimate and relationship-led, with delegates sharing meals, excursions, wellness activities and late-night conversations that many attendees described as equally valuable as the sessions themselves.
Reflecting on the gathering afterwards, Tenthouse Structures commented: “What makes ERN so valuable is the healthy debate it encourages; challenging assumptions and pushing the industry forward.”
Meanwhile HoneyTrek described the event as “more of a rolling forum on using travel as a force for good.”
As Eco Resort Network now begins discussions around its 2027 destination, delegates left Chiang Mai energised by the growing sense that regenerative hospitality is evolving from niche conversation into a genuine movement shaping the future of global travel.
About Eco Resort Network
Eco Resort Network (ERN) was founded by International Glamping Business Publisher Steph Curtis-Raleigh to create a dedicated space for owners, developers, investors, designers and operators working across eco resorts, regenerative hospitality and experience-led tourism. The network first launched in 2019 through a series of online summits, before evolving into the in-person event format it is known for today, with the first in-person gathering taking place in 2022. Designed as a highly curated alternative to traditional conferences, it brings together industry leaders from around the world to share ideas, challenge assumptions and explore how hospitality can create positive environmental, social and economic impact. Now, it has developed a reputation for combining high-level discussion with meaningful relationship-building in some of the world’s most inspiring hospitality settings.
