In a resounding move to champion sustainability within the hospitality industry, PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism) returns this September with an unparalleled line-up of top-tier speakers and industry innovators. This year’s event, heralded as Southeast Asia’s most significant sustainability conference, promises to be a beacon of inspiration and change for the travel and hospitality sectors.
PHIST 2024 will take place at the Angsana Laguna Phuket on September 2, 2024, under the compelling theme “One on One: Sustainability from the Top.” The event aims to showcase how senior executives can foster a culture of sustainability within their organizations and influence broader industry practices.
Peng Sum Choe, CEO of Pan Pacific Hotels Group, will headline this prestigious event. Under Choe’s visionary leadership, Pan Pacific Hotels has seamlessly integrated sustainable practices across its operations, earning the prestigious Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Multi-Site certification for all eight properties in Singapore. Choe will join forces with Jesper Palmqvist, Senior Director for Asia Pacific at STR, a leading hospitality analytics firm, to delve into the pivotal role of green leadership in today’s business landscape.
Peng Sum Choe’s participation in PHIST underscores the critical importance of sustainability for island communities and beyond. “I am grateful for the opportunity to address my industry colleagues at PHIST. Sustainability is a crucial issue, particularly for island communities, making this event an important platform for collaboration. I look forward to sharing my experiences and learning from the innovative solutions and insights of others,” Choe remarked.
Jayne MacDougall, executive director of the Phuket Hotels Association, will complement Choe and Palmqvist’s insights. MacDougall is set to unveil the Green Planet School Farm Project, a groundbreaking initiative to nurture the next generation of organic producers. This project highlights the association’s commitment to sustainable education and local community empowerment.
PHIST 2024 is designed to be more than just a conference. It is an immersive and interactive learning event featuring candid debates, 18 hands-on workshops, career development sessions, and extensive networking opportunities. Attendees will be encouraged to challenge conventional thinking and develop actionable solutions to pressing environmental and community issues. Last year’s event saw over 1,000 participants, a testament to the growing momentum and influence of PHIST.
Jayne MacDougall expressed her excitement about the upcoming event, stating, “We are thrilled to announce Peng Sum Choe and Jesper Palmqvist as our headline speakers; they will provide the perfect blend of expertise and insight to inspire guests to create sustainable futures for their own businesses.”
As Southeast Asia continues to grapple with environmental challenges, events like PHIST are vital for driving change and fostering a culture of sustainability. The collaborative efforts and insights shared at PHIST 2024 will undoubtedly pave the way for more resilient and eco-friendly practices within the hospitality sector.
For more information about the Phuket Hotels Association and PHIST 2024, interested parties can contact +66 (0) 8 9645 2576, email info@phukethotelsassociation.com, or visit www.phukethotelsassociation.com.
Join the conversation at PHIST 2024 and contribute to the movement towards a sustainable future for Southeast Asia’s hospitality industry.
Written by: My Thanh Pham
