Phuket, Thailand, December 15, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Bjorn Courage has been appointed President of the Phuket Hotel Association, and Sumi Soorian has been promoted to CEO. Long-time CEO Anthony Lark will remain with the association as a Senior Advisor. The Phuket Hotel Association, a non-profit organization with 72 member establishments, is ushering in a new era with the appointment of its new leadership team.

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Bjorn Courage, General Manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, who has over 25 years of experience in the hotel industry, has been appointed the new President of the Phuket Hotels Association, succeeding founding President Anthony Lark, the former General Manager of Amanpuri and Trisara, who is now Executive Director at HMD, Shinta Mani and Bensley Collection Hotels.

Sumi Soorian, who has worked for the Phuket Hotel Association since its founding in 2016 and most recently served as Development Director, has been promoted to Managing Director. The marketing and communications expert, specializing in project management and business development, completed her studies in the USA and has worked in various countries, including Australia, China, and Thailand.

Björn takes office as president at a time of optimism for Phuket's tourism and hospitality industry. The island was one of the first destinations in Southeast Asia to safely reopen to international visitors following the launch of its innovative "Phuket Sandbox" program in July 2021. Its hotels and resorts are now preparing for a strong recovery during the winter season and beyond.

There is hardly anyone better suited to lead this forward-thinking organization than Björn. In his 25-year career, he has worked for many of the industry's most renowned brands, including IHG, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Six Senses, and Mandarin Oriental. He also successfully completed Cornell University's Executive Leadership Program.

“In this initial phase of recovery from the Covid pandemic, I am proud to serve our member hotels, communities, and destination to the best of my ability. I will dedicate myself to continuing and building upon the important work already accomplished by the association, its working groups, and member hotels, particularly with regard to our association’s three core areas: marketing, environment, and education. I thank Anthony for his leadership since the founding of the Phuket Hotel Association and for his continued support of the association as Senior Advisor,” commented Bjorn.

Since its founding in January 2016, the Phuket Hotels Association has grown into an association representing 72 of the island's leading international 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.

Anthony Lark will continue to serve as a senior advisor to the association, along with Bill Barnett, a founder of the Phuket Hotels Association and managing director of C9 Hotelworks, David Keen, CEO of QUO, David Johnson, CEO of Delivering Asia Communications, Boon Yongsakul, chairman of Boat Pattana, and Saharat Jivavisitnont, managing director of Jee Teng Hospitality Group.