PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism) is a sustainability forum that brings together the hotel industry and its stakeholders to discuss corporate governance, environmental sustainability, and social impact. PHIST 2022 attracted over 1,000 delegates from across Southeast Asia. Attendees included executives, hotel directors, hotel owners, government representatives, and representatives from the non-profit sector. The event offered participants a mix of workshops, short expert panels, and thematic discussions on topics such as destination development, sustainable governance in the hotel industry, sustainable marketing, and global sustainability trends. Speakers included industry experts from local and international organizations. The conference day also featured an exhibition area showcasing sustainability-related products and services.

Why PHIST?

Travel and tourism have increased enormously and will continue to grow. It is our responsibility not only to promote destinations but also to educate the public. Worldwide, there are increasing examples of extreme environmental destruction, overcrowding, and public protests resulting from tourism. In recent years, destinations, particularly islands, have been closed to protect the ecosystem – despite the threat to tourism revenue and tens of thousands of jobs.

However, the increased awareness among travelers, businesses, and governments can collectively contribute to expanding solutions. In Phuket and other destinations in Thailand and the region, we as an industry now face a choice: either we exacerbate the negative impacts of tourism and risk losing market share, or we seize the opportunities tourism offers to contribute to sustainable development, environmental protection, and a positive impact on the local population. This event will discuss the challenges and opportunities for hotels to transform these negative aspects into positive ones.

PHIST goals:

• Creating an innovative event that brings together the hotel industry and its stakeholders to discuss environmental sustainability and its benefits to the community. • Delivering presentations on current topics such as destination development, marine health and impacts, sustainability in hotel chains, community tourism, and global trends in sustainability and mass tourism. • Sharing content to unlock best practices and opportunities for Phuket. • Offering an exhibitor area for eco-friendly products with environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastics for our customers. • Raising awareness and teaching the concepts of "reduce," "reuse," and "recycle" to schoolchildren.

PHIST and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals):

PHIST is committed to a mindful and inclusive event. The focus is strongly on diversity and inclusion: 1. The theme of PHIST 2022 is "Sustainability for Future Generations." Speakers have the opportunity to bring their children/teenagers and participate in panel discussions. 2. At least 50% of the speakers and moderators will be women. This ensures the full and effective participation of women and equal opportunities in leadership positions in the field of sustainability. 3. The event offers six young people from across Thailand the chance to participate. This fair competition is open to everyone, regardless of gender or social background. 4. The Angsana Laguna Phuket Hotel supports and employs students with disabilities from the Panyanukul School to provide them with equal educational and career opportunities. The Angsana Laguna Phuket will provide one student to support the PHIST event. A corresponding agreement (Memorandum of Understanding, MOU) ensures a fair and transparent partnership with the school.

Sustainability depends on partnerships for its success. PHIST therefore invites a wide range of stakeholders to its events. 5. Speakers from various sectors (government, private sector, associations, non-profit organizations, and local communities) are invited to PHIST to strengthen the global partnership for sustainable development. This mobilizes and shares knowledge and expertise among the 1,000 participants, supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in ASEAN, particularly in Thailand. 6. Environmentally friendly exhibitors at PHIST have the opportunity to network with providers from the hospitality and travel industries, as well as with delegates, by offering more environmentally friendly alternatives for their businesses, products, and services. 7. Information about PHIST (before, during, and after the event) is shared on various platforms. This ensures that best practices and presentations are made publicly available.

The hotels selected by PHIST are sustainable partners of the event: 8. The Angsana Laguna Phuket was chosen for PHIST 2022. The Angsana Laguna Phuket has a strong sustainability strategy and aligns with PHIST's values: • All food served during PHIST is 100% locally sourced. • The event staff is 100% locally sourced. • There is no food waste. • Single-use plastics are avoided throughout the event. (Event trailers and signage are digital, no straws, and promotional gifts are sustainably produced.) • Clean Air Program: The Angsana Laguna Phuket measures the CO₂ emissions caused by the event and purchases CO₂ certificates on behalf of the company. This is free for guests and organizers. 9. The Angsana Laguna Phuket produces and provides high-quality drinking water to all guests and participants. 10. Registration is done online via a Google invitation. Registration is therefore paperless. 11. Angsana Laguna Phuket adopts a program to prevent food waste.

Contact PHIST:

Phuket Hotels Association, Ms. Sumi Soorian, Managing Director, Phuket Hotels Association, Phone: +66 87 468 8588, Email: [email protected], Website: www.phukethotelassociation.com

Ms. Sulaiya Ritto, Administrative Manager, Phuket Hotels Association, Email: [email protected]