Blue Tree Phuket has been named Community Initiative of the Year – Thailand at the Travel Daily Media Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026. The accolade underscores the destination's evolution from a conventional water park into a dynamic community hub that serves both tourists and local residents.
Located on the island's west coast, Blue Tree Phuket now operates as a 30-rai (4.8-hectare) community park that integrates green spaces, recreational facilities, and social gathering areas. The open, walkable environment is designed to appeal to families, pet owners, fitness enthusiasts, and community groups, with programming that runs year-round.
From attraction to community anchor
The shift reflects a broader trend in Phuket's tourism landscape, where destinations are increasingly blending leisure with local life. Blue Tree Phuket's management has positioned the site not just as a place to visit, but as a space where residents and visitors can interact, participate in activities, and build connections.
Activities include family programmes, wellness sessions, sporting events, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings. The destination's pet-friendly and family-oriented approach aims to foster inclusivity, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds to share the same spaces and experiences.
This community focus is paired with a sustainability ethos. The low-density design, open-air architecture, and extensive greenery minimize environmental impact while creating a natural, welcoming atmosphere. Only 35% of the site is built up, with the remaining 65% dedicated to green and water areas.
Economic impact and growth
Blue Tree Phuket also contributes significantly to the local economy. More than 80 businesses operate within its ecosystem, benefiting from steady visitor traffic and an environment that encourages longer stays. In 2025, the destination welcomed over 1 million visitors, and projections for 2026 indicate that number could double to approximately 2 million.
Looking ahead, Blue Tree Phuket is expanding with a 16-rai Wellness District, a project that fuses modern wellness infrastructure with Phuket's tropical lifestyle. The district will feature approximately 5,000 square metres of leasable space across 14 customisable plots, anchored by a growing sports community that includes Phuket's largest padel community.
The Wellness District will host a curated mix of fitness, sports, recovery, healthy dining, and lifestyle operators, creating a vibrant hub for residents, visitors, and wellness enthusiasts. The design prioritises outdoor spaces, greenery, and water, maintaining the open and natural character that defines Blue Tree Phuket.
This recognition at the Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 highlights how destinations can create shared value for visitors and businesses while contributing to the social and cultural fabric of their communities. For travel professionals, Blue Tree Phuket offers a case study in adaptive reuse and community-centric development that could inform similar projects across the region.
As Phuket continues to evolve as a leading resort destination, initiatives like this are likely to shape the island's future appeal. For more on related developments, see Phuket's branded residence shift and Centara's payment streamlining.
