Phuket gears up for international tourism event

Phuket is readying itself for a monumental moment in global tourism. The Joint Public and Private Sector Committee for Economic Development of Phuket Province met yesterday, September 12, to fine-tune plans for the upcoming International Tourism Island City Conference (ITICC).

The Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort will host this prestigious event from September 24 to 27, drawing industry heavyweights, experts, and government officials from around the world.

Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who chaired the meeting at Provincial Hall, emphasised the significance of the event.

“This is our chance to lead on sustainable development and showcase our vision for the future of island tourism.”

Attendees discussed crucial preparations, including safety management, following the recent landslide in Karon that claimed 13 lives, and the importance of human rights in local businesses.

Delegations from global island tourism hotspots, including Jeju, Okinawa, Bali, Hainan, Hawaii, Penang, Zanzibar, and Scotland, are set to attend.

With heavyweights like these, Phuket’s platform to highlight its Sustainable Transformation Vision and Strategy—a 10-pillar master plan to achieve Sustainable Development Goals—will be on full display.

The plan focuses on sports tourism, gastronomy, medical services, and more, with a clear objective of pushing Phuket as a global leader in sustainable tourism.

The meeting also tackled practical issues like improving local infrastructure and business policies.

“Respecting human rights and ensuring robust safety measures are central to our vision.”

Officials reviewed the MOU signed last May to support socially responsible small and medium businesses (SMEs) in Phuket, with several leading organisations involved, reported Phuket News.

In related news, Phuket, Thailand’s stunning island getaway, has claimed the dubious title of the world’s most overcrowded destination. Once a serene beach paradise, Phuket now sees tourists outnumbering locals by a staggering 118 to one, turning the tropical dream into a crowded chaos.

Overtourism has become a hot topic since travel bounced back post-Covid. Eager holidaymakers have returned in droves, overwhelming many hotspots.