Wasteful tourism in developing economy? A present situation and sustainable scenarios

•Tourism contributed directly a third of solid waste at the tourist destination.•A stay led to 1.74 kg night−1 double the local waste generation rate per capita.•Three quarters of tourist waste was recoverable as materials or as energy.•The existing fixed-rate fees unfairly benefit large-volume waste generators.

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. However, the expansion of the service sector does not necessarily lower the material intensity of the economy without proper environmental management. This study presents a case of tourism waste generation on the Thai side of the Golden Triangle. Based on 207 observations at hotels and guesthouses, tourist attractions and transit stations, it highlights the unsatisfactory aspects of the present situation in terms of the quantity and the composition of tourism waste. There is also a concern over the expansion of tourism activities in the area that would result in more waste being generated. Nevertheless, a multivariate model shows that a greener scenario leading to 60–70% of waste diversion would also be possible. The utilization of organic waste from accommodations and the promotion of source separation at public spots would hold key for resource conservation. It is further suggested that the local governments can drive the development of sustainable tourism by adjusting their policy instruments such as employing unit-based pricing in waste charging to make the system fairer.