Phuket plans sustainable tourism overhaul to boost economy

Phuket’s sustainable tourism took centre stage yesterday, September 15, as the House of Representatives Tourism Committee held a seminar to explore new directions for the island’s tourism sector and delve into the creative economy. The event, Transforming Phuket’s Future, was held at Dara Hotel and saw participation from significant figures in government, the private sector, and civil society.

Phuket Vice Governor Norasak Suksomboon and Vice Chairman of the Tourism Committee, Atthaphon Traisri, inaugurated the seminar. Other key participants included Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee, and Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, an advisor to the Phuket Tourist Association and President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation.

The seminar aimed to reshape Phuket’s tourism with a strong emphasis on sustainability and economic diversity. An official report highlighted that the event included sessions titled Lessons from the Crisis: Shaping Phuket’s Development as a Quality Tourism City and Decoding Phuket’s Future: Creative Policies for Sustainable Tourism and Economy.

Vice Governor Norasak addressed the attendees, revealing that Phuket has a population exceeding 1.2 million people. However, only 417,891 are officially registered residents, while the rest are a mix of tourists and locals, most of whom are engaged in the tourism sector. The province comprises three districts, 17 sub-districts, 96 villages, and 19 local administrative organisations.

Phuket’s economy is overwhelmingly dependent on tourism, which generates 92.9% of its income. In 2023, tourism brought in over 388 billion baht, making Phuket the highest earner in Southern Thailand and second in the country after Bangkok. This marked a 100.38% increase from 2022. Tourist numbers also rose substantially to 11.3 million in 2023, up by 100.77% from the previous year.

Phuket International Airport handles direct flights from 18 countries, connecting with more than 65 cities, alongside domestic flights. On average, there are 1,900 flights per week or about 270 daily. Additionally, the province’s deep-sea port accommodates large cruise ships, with approximately four ships arriving or departing weekly, and supports five world-class yachts, with an average of 15 yachts arriving and departing each week.

New economic city

Vice Governor Norasak revealed that Phuket is implementing a 20-year development plan with a vision to transform into a new economic city driven by sustainability. This vision aims to balance economic growth with environmental preservation and social equality.

“The goal is to diversify Phuket’s economy, moving beyond tourism to create a more balanced and resilient economy. This shift is part of a broader strategy based on 10+ key economic and social pillars for development.”

The seminar underscored the importance of sustainable development in ensuring the long-term success and resilience of Phuket’s economy. As the island continues to attract millions of tourists annually, the focus on economic diversification and sustainable practices will be pivotal in securing a prosperous future for Phuket.

The event concluded with a shared commitment among participants to work collaboratively towards realising the vision of a sustainable and diversified economy for Phuket. The discussions and insights gathered from the seminar are expected to inform future policies and initiatives aimed at transforming Phuket into a model of sustainable tourism and economic resilience, reported The Phuket News.