Phuket, Thailand, April 13, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Jayne MacDougall, a hospitality expert with extensive knowledge of environmental policy, safety, training, and community projects, is taking over the position from Sumi Soorian, who is moving into an advisory role. The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organization representing 85 of the island's finest hotels and resorts, reaffirms its commitment to the environment, education, and community integration with the appointment of Jayne MacDougall as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 3, 2023.

Jayne is a highly qualified expert in the hospitality industry with extensive experience in areas such as sustainability, education and politics, and is therefore ideally suited to lead the strategic direction of the association, which is based on four pillars: marketing, environment, government and education.

She is very well known to the Phuket Hotels Association, having served as its Environmental Chair since 2017. In this role, Jayne established the Environmental Committee and successfully initiated a wide range of environmental, safety, and social projects for hotels, including lifeguard training and a school garden initiative that fostered relationships with the local community.

Jayne has over 20 years of experience in the Thai hotel industry, including a long and successful tenure as Director of Risk Management at Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort. Most recently, she worked as a Senior Consultant on a pilot project for GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation) in Asia, which aimed to eliminate single-use plastics in the Thai hotel industry.

Jayne's appointment as Managing Director follows Sumi Soorian's move to the role of Senior Advisor. Sumi has been with the association since its inception and played a key role in organizing and ensuring the success of events such as PHAB (Phuket Hotels Association Benefit) and PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism). She will continue to advise the board members and the president of the association.

“I am delighted to welcome Jayne MacDougall as our new Managing Director. Her work over the past five years as Chair of the Environmental Committee has been instrumental in developing our strategic direction. Environmental issues, education, and training are all critical areas that currently have a significant impact on the hotel sector in Phuket. Jayne’s in-depth knowledge and extensive network will help us achieve our goals,” said Bjorn Courage, President of the Phuket Hotel Association. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Sumi for her outstanding contribution to the Phuket Hotel Association. She has been a pillar of the association since its inception and has played a crucial role in our success.”

This announcement follows the recent reappointment of the Phuket Hotel Association's leadership team, including Bjorn Courage as President, Brett Wilson as Treasurer, and Daniel Meury as Secretary. This continuity, along with Jayne's appointment as Chief Executive, will enable the effective implementation of key projects and policies, positioning the association for a successful future.

Since its founding in January 2016, the Phuket Hotels Association has grown into an association representing 85 of the island's leading international branded hotels and independent luxury and mid-range hotels and resorts, with a total of over 12,000 rooms. Each of these members is committed to the destination and, through the Phuket Hotels Association, actively invests in a sustainable future through long-term environmental and educational initiatives.

Further information about the Phuket Hotels Association can be found at www.phukethotelsassociation.com.

Members of the Phuket Hotels Association are: Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa, Amanpuri, Amari Phuket, Amora Beach Phuket, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket, Andara Resort & Villas, Angsana Laguna Phuket, Avista Grand Phuket Karon – Mgallery, Baan Laimai, Baan Yin Dee Boutique Resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, Best Western Phuket, Boat Lagoon Resort, Burasari Phuket, Cape Sienna Phuket Gourmet Hotel & Villas, Cassia Phuket, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, COMO Point Yamu, Courtyard Marriott Phuket Town, Dewa Phuket, DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Fisherman Way Beach Resort, Four Points by Sheraton Phuket, Patong Beach, Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bangtao, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Patong, HOMA, Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, InterContinental Phuket Resort, Island Escape by Burasari, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Kata Rocks Resort & Residences, Keemala Phuket, Kudo Hotel Patong, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa, Centara Boutique Collection, Mangosteen Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, Marina Gallery Resort – Kacha – Kalim Bay, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, Mövenpick Bangtao Beach Phuket, Mövenpick Myth Hotel Patong Phuket, My Beach Hotel, Narai Mai Khao Resort, Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach, Outrigger Surin Beach Resort, Paresa Resort, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, Radisson Resort and Suites, Rayaburi Hotel Patong, Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, Rosewood Phuket, SAii Laguna Phuket, Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa, Six Senses Yao Noi, Stay Wellness and Lifestyle Resort, Thanyapura Sports Hotel, Thavorn Beach Village Resort and Spa, The AIM Patong Hotel, The Bell Pool Villa Resort, The Boathouse Phuket, The Nai Harn, The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, The Pavilions Phuket, The Shore at Katathani, The Slate, Phuket, The Surin Phuket, The Village Coconut Island, The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket, Tree House Villas Koh Yao, Trisara, Twinpalms MontAzure, Twinpalms Phuket, V Villas Phuket, Villa PhuKhao, Wyndham Grand Nai Harn Beach Phuket, Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay