Andre van der Marck, founder of TEAT, shares insights on responsible tourism, sustainability, and TEAT’s expansion across Southeast Asia.
For Trends episode 44, host David Barrett sits down with Andre van der Marck, Founder and Managing Director of Travel Exclusive Asia Thailand (TEAT). With over two decades of experience in the industry, van der Marck’s journey is a testament to the power of strategic adaptability, a hallmark of his leadership.
Born in the Netherlands, van der Marck’s foundation in the travel industry began shortly after earning his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the prestigious Hotelschool The Hague in 1993. His early years were shaped by a role at Kuoni, a leading global tour operator. This marked the start of a career spanning continents and cultures, with his initial foray into Thailand in 1994 offering him crucial firsthand exposure to Southeast Asian tourism.
While van der Marck initially cut his teeth in Phuket’s hotel sector, it was in his return to Europe, where he resumed work with Kuoni, that he sharpened his focus on Southeast Asia, building expertise in product development for the region. By 2007, he had moved back to Thailand, assuming a position with Asian Trails, a significant DMC player in the inbound tourism space, then part of Kuoni’s portfolio.
It wasn’t long before the allure of new challenges drew him to ICS Travel Group and Transorient Touristik, where van der Marck honed his ability to balance market demands with authentic, curated experiences, a combination he would later emphasise as central to his own company’s vision. He then moved to Dutch managed Khiri Travel in Bangkok, with a focus on sustainability and community-based tourism.
In 2016, the moment arrived for van der Marck to launch his own venture. Partnering with the Asia DMC network, he sought to bring his passion for tailored travel to life, aiming to deliver travel experiences of Southeast Asia to global travellers. By 2020, Asia DMC Thailand was rebranded as Travel Exclusive Asia Thailand (TEAT), a boutique DMC focusing on delivering “bespoke and different journeys,” as he describes it.
Asked about standing out in a crowded marketplace, van der Marck understands well the intricacies of operating in one of the world’s most competitive tourism markets. When asked what sets TEAT apart from the myriad of other inbound tour operators in Thailand, he emphasised the personal touch, something often missing in today’s fast-paced industry. “We take care of customers when they’re in the country, but we also prioritise supporting our tour operator business partners overseas,” he says, underscoring the importance of nurturing relationships. This personal investment, van der Marck believes, is what allows TEAT to offer seamless and meaningful travel experiences.
The company’s business model is strictly B2B, eschewing direct-to-consumer sales in favour of working exclusively with international tour operators. These partners, largely from Europe, Australia and the United States, handle initial client interactions before handing over the in-country operational reins to TEAT. This model ensures that by the time a client arrives in Thailand, the groundwork for a smooth, tailored experience has already been laid.
While Thailand remains a global tourist magnet, van der Marck is keenly aware of the risks associated with overtourism. “We need to disperse guests to secondary destinations,” he insists, referencing destinations like Pai and Nan that are still largely untapped by mass tourism. However, logistical challenges abound. While these regions offer unique experiences, their ability to accommodate large tour groups remains limited, creating a supply-demand imbalance that van der Marck believes can only be solved through concerted efforts by stakeholders, including hotel developers.
The infrastructure debate is particularly pertinent in Phuket, van der Marck notes, where rapid growth in tourism and real estate development has outstripped local resources. “It’s a chicken-and-egg situation,” he says, referring to the struggle between promoting new destinations and ensuring they have the capacity to handle an influx of tourists. Careful planning, involving both private sector players and government organisations, is vital if Thailand is to meet the ambitious goal of welcoming 50 million tourists annually.
Sustainability is another driving force behind TEAT’s operations. The company is Travelife certified, a designation that signals a commitment to responsible tourism practices. “We work hard to support local communities and promote responsible travel experiences,” van der Marck says, adding that many European tour operators are increasingly focused on carbon offsets and the use of refillable water bottles as part of their sustainability initiatives.
However, van der Marck cautions against what he calls “overkill,” where the same sustainable practice is repeated excessively, leading to inefficiencies in the supply chain. “We need better coordination,” he says, advocating for a more holistic approach to environmental stewardship across the tourism sector.
The future of tourism, van der Marck predicts, will require more than just technological innovation, it will necessitate a human touch. While Artificial Intelligence plays a role in operations, particularly in translating itineraries, van der Marck is firm in his belief that the “best tour guides and destination experiences” will continue to set great travel experiences apart from the ordinary.
As for TEA’s expansion, the company’s footprint has grown beyond Thailand to include Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and most recently, Indonesia. Myanmar, once part of the plan, has been put on hold due to the ongoing political crisis, but van der Marck remains optimistic about future opportunities.
When asked about trending destinations, van der Marck points to Pai, Phayao, and Isaan as emerging hotspots that showcase the authentic Thai way of life. However, he acknowledges that the classic destinations of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, and Khao Sok remain in high demand, with accommodation shortages in certain areas and seasons posing a continued challenge.
Reflecting on his career, van der Marck shares a piece of advice for the next generation of tourism professionals: “I wish I’d started my own company sooner. It’s incredibly motivating and liberating to build something yourself. Whatever field you’re in, I’d recommend starting your own business.”
For Andre van der Marck, the road ahead is clear: continued growth, responsible tourism, and above all, creating unforgettable journeys for travelers across Southeast Asia.
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David Barrett is a MICE Consultant, Marketing Strategist and digital video advocate. Founder of DBC Group, Member of Institute of Place Management (MIMP) his motto is “Everybody has a story to tell. Let me tell yours.”
David is a long-term resident of Bangkok having lived and worked in the Thai capital for more than 32 years. He is recognised in the Thai tourism and hospitality industry for his passion for promoting Thailand, his love of Thai food, and his creative approach to marketing.
64 years young, David is a Brit in Bangkok. Born in St Helier, UK, he returned to the UK and set up home in Cornwall during the COVID pandemic. With business back as usual, David has returned to Thailand. He’s a man on a mission to interview leaders and trend-setters in business, sustainability, the arts and entertainment. You can watch his weekly conversations on Trends YouTube channel.
