Phuket, Thailand, September 30, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism) is once again being held as an in-person event. This important annual forum harnessed the combative and cultural spirit of Muay Thai to stimulate open dialogue and drive positive change in the travel and tourism industry. The theme of PHIST 5 was Muay Thai, the dynamic and culturally diverse sport of Thai boxing that has gained global popularity and symbolizes the fight to preserve authentic art and traditions.

PHIST, Southeast Asia's largest and most prestigious forum for responsible travel and hospitality, returned on Monday, September 26, to deliver a decisive blow to unsustainable tourism in Southeast Asia! As a live, in-person event, this dynamic gathering addressed the most pressing issues affecting the region and supported the green recovery of hotels and tourism businesses following the global pandemic.

This year's PHIST took place at ACES, Angsana Laguna Phuket, and was dedicated to Muay Thai, the dynamic and culturally rich Thai boxing sport that has gained worldwide recognition and popularity and symbolizes the fight to preserve authentic art, tradition, and culture. Muay Thai fighters from Australia, Brazil, Thailand, and the USA competed on Monday in a series of "super fights" in the ACES main hall for the Nai Khanom Tom belt, which is awarded by organizations including the Me Fah Luang Foundation in the mountains of northern Thailand.

Following these verbal clashes, the keynote speakers engaged in a lively exchange, offering unique insights into the industry's central challenges, including community tourism, sustainable business practices, marine health, destination management, post-COVID trends, and much more. This also included the "Rumble in the Jungle"—seven verbal sparring matches between pairs of speakers, culminating in a high-stakes duel.

A series of expert workshops focused on practical topics such as "Green Financing for Hotels," "Zero Waste," and "Materials for Sustainable Tourism." A Green Expo presented a comprehensive selection of innovative, environmentally friendly products from around 30 exhibitors. The event concluded with an evening networking reception where participants could discuss the day's events.

Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks and co-founder and co-organizer of PHIST, said: “We are delighted that PHIST was able to return as an in-person event this week. The global pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives, but perhaps it has had one positive effect: it has forced the world to live, work, and think more sustainably. At PHIST 5, we analyzed the key industry trends in depth and presented practical, actionable solutions that hoteliers and entrepreneurs can use to strengthen their businesses during this challenging time and future-proof them.”

Björn Courage, President of the Phuket Hotel Association, commented: “Last year, when many businesses were fighting for survival, we saw the travel industry come together at our virtual forum to advance sustainability. This week, as 500 delegates from across Southeast Asia met in person at PHIST 5, we were able to exchange further ideas and put our commitments into action. Collaboration is key – when people come together, great things can happen. The actions agreed upon at PHIST can have a positive impact on your business and the entire region. It was fantastic to see everyone's commitment!”

Hope Uy, Managing Director of the South Palms Resort in Panglao, explained: “Islands like Panglao and Phuket feel the effects of environmental and social problems even more acutely than other destinations. Drinking water, waste disposal, coral bleaching – these are not mere concepts, but rather issues that shape our lives and our operations on a daily basis. The only sustainable solution lies in close collaboration with local communities and the creation of a circular economy. I was delighted to join like-minded individuals at PHIST 5 to share our experiences and present practical solutions.”

Kevin Deisser, CEO and founder of Invest Islands, added: “In an archipelago as diverse as Indonesia, preserving the integrity of island life is central to all our activities. Every project we undertake must have a positive impact on the local population, and if implemented correctly, it will bring long-term benefits to all stakeholders. In Indonesia and across Southeast Asia, indigenous peoples have already developed highly sustainable ways of life. As outsiders, tourism providers and project developers must work with and learn from the islanders.”

Eric Ricaurte, founder and CEO of Greenview, summarized: “Even before the pandemic, travel habits were changing. Now that travel and tourism are at a turning point, people want more authentic experiences that connect them to their destination. Our PHIST workshops were designed to develop best practices for hotels that not only strengthen their sustainability goals but also connect them more closely with the local community. Tourism plays a pivotal role in island development, so it is essential that we act responsibly.”

An exciting new feature at this year's PHIST was the inaugural presentation of the "Sustainable Design Innovation" award, which was presented to Patrick Keane, founder of Enter Projects. Founded in 2005, Enter Projects has completed numerous award-winning projects and continues to enjoy worldwide recognition for its ecological master plans, architecture, and interior design services.

A collaboration between the Phuket Hotels Association, Greenview and C9 Hotelworks, with the support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the American Chamber of Commerce Thailand (AmCham), QUO, Creative Concept AV, Delivering Asia Communications, Banpu NEXT, Indorama Ventures, Junkyard Theatre Phuket, GIZ, Angsana Laguna Phuket, Blue Tree Phuket, XCO2, ZeroWater Thailand, Revolution X, AustCham Thailand, the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce, Thaiger, Travel Daily, Teak Timber Phuket, Mbs Thai, Cocktails & Co, Wine on Tap, FullMoon Brewworks and Kombuchawow.

Further information can be found at: phist.phukethotelsassociation.com

Exhibitors: Royal Phuket Marina, Reddonatura India Private Limited, Sentinel Solution (Thailand) Co.,Ltd, Development Management Group Co., Ltd., Ecolab LTD, Reef Repair, OKLIN (THAILAND) CO., LTD, Hoteliers.Guru, CREATIVE MOVE COMPANY LIMITED, Green Footprint Solutions Ltd, PHUKET TEINTHONG, EHL Hospitality Business School, Good Drop Water, SensorFlow, Sustainable Maikhao, SOS, Zero water, Seeds of Change, Hobart Thailand, Smarter Energy Solution, Diversey Hygiene (Thailand) Co.,Ltd., Sunsear Phuket, Banpu NEXT Co., Ltd., Blue Tree and BAAN SAIJAI CO., LTD.

Members of the Phuket Hotels Association are: Absolute Twin Sands Resort, Amanpuri, Amari Phuket, Amatara Resort & Wellness, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, Anantara Maikhao Phuket Villas, Anantara Vacation Club Maikhao Phuket, Andara Resort & Villas, Angsana Laguna Phuket, Angsana Villas Resort Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket, Burasari Resort Phuket, Cape Sienna Hotels & Villas, Centara Grand Beach Resort, Club Med Phuket, COMO Point Yamu, Dewa Nai Yang, Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Maikhao, Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Patong, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, Impiana Resort Patong, InterContinental Phuket Resort, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Kata Rocks, Keemala, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa, Manathai Surin Phuket, Millennium Resort Patong Phuket, Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket, Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach, Novotel Phuket Phokeethra, Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort, Outrigger Laguna Phuket 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, Ramada Plaza Chaofa, Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, Rosewood Phuket, SALA Phuket Resort & Spa, Serenity Resort and Residences, Splash Beach Resort, Swissotel Resort Phuket Patong Beach, Thanyapura Sports Hotel, The Bell Pool Villa Resort, The Boathouse Phuket, The Clover Hotel Patong, The Nai Harn Phuket, The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, The Nature Phuket, The Pavilions Phuket, The Slate, The Surin, The Village Coconut Island, The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket, Trisara, Twinpalms MontAzure, Twinpalms Phuket, U Zenmaya Phuket, Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay, Wyndham Sea Pearl Resort Phuket