Phuket (Thailand) – January 24, 2017 (travelindexcom) – The recently established Phuket Hotels Association launched the Phuket brand at the annual Thailand Tourism Forum at the InterContinental Bangkok in front of over 550 travel and tourism executives from across the region.

The brand identity, designed to strengthen the destination's profile worldwide, was developed by the global branding agency QUO and focuses on positive stories about the experiences, natural beauty, and people of Phuket.

The Phuket Hotels Association, a consortium of over 62 hotel members at its inception with over 9,000 rooms, is an initiative of a pioneering group of Thai and foreign hoteliers on the island, advised by Khun Wichit Na Ranong, the former president of the Tourism Council of Thailand and owner of The Slate Phuket Resort.

“Thailand’s tourism industry has experienced exceptional growth, and now it’s time to pause, consolidate, reposition, and plan for the future,” said Khun Wichit. “The central aim of the Phuket Hotel Association is to bring the industry together to further develop the destination.”

“Tourism has been good for Phuket, and we now need to ensure that we reinvest through environmental and educational programs to further spread the benefits and advantages. The Phuket brand encompasses all these areas and will help position the destination for the future.”

Anthony Lark, General Manager of the world-renowned Trisara Resort, has been appointed President of the Phuket Hotels Association. He will be supported by marketing, education, and environmental committees whose aim is to disseminate best practices and support community initiatives.

“We are delighted to be able to make a positive contribution,” said Mr. Lark. “By presenting a united front and speaking with one voice, we can showcase the Phuket brand consistently in international markets, highlighting the experiences, natural beauty, and people of the destination as its three greatest strengths. Since our founding at the end of last year, we have gained numerous Thai and international members and look forward to doubling our membership in 2017 and working together to positively impact the tourism industry on the island.”

The branding agency QUO developed a vision and strategy to give Phuket a unique positioning and a distinctive profile, thus highlighting the island's numerous advantages.

“Phuket is one of the greatest tropical destinations in Asia, if not the world, and offers a remarkable variety of attractions,” said David Keen, CEO of QUO. “It is crucial to unite the island’s fascinating sights under one roof. We have created a memorable identity that will ensure a distinctive look, better cultural understanding, and hopefully, greater appeal for the destination.”

The hotel association will also launch its first fundraising campaign on May 13, 2017, at a gala event in Phuket, with the aim of raising 3.5 million THB (100,000 USD) for an educational scholarship program focused on the hospitality industry.

Further information can be found at www.phukethotelsassociation.com

For further information, please contact: Anthony Lark, President of the Phuket Hotels Association, Email: [email protected]

Members of the Phuket Hotels Association are: Amanpuri, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, Anantara Maikhao Phuket Villas, Anantara Vacation Club, Andara Resort & Villas, Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, Boathouse by Montara, Burasari Resort, Cape Sienna, Centara Grand Beach Resort, Club Med Phuket, Dream Hotel & Spa, Dewa Phuket, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong, Hilton Phuket Arcadia, Holiday Inn Maikhao, Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, Patong, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, Impiana Resort Patong, JW Marriott Phuket, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa, Manathai Surin, Movenpick Resort Bangtao Beach, Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach, Novotel Phuket Karon Beach, Novotel Phuket Phokeethra, Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort & Villas, Paresa Resort, Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, COMO by Point Yamu, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon, Pullman Panwa Beach Resort, Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, Rosewood Phuket, Swissotel Resort Phuket Kamala, Swissotel Resort Phuket Patong Beach, Thanyapura, The Bell Pool Villa, The Nai Harn, The Pavilions, Phuket, The Slate, The Surin, The Village Coconut Island, The Westin Sirey Bay Resort & Spa Phuket, Trisara, Twinpalms Phuket.