At PHIST 2026, held September 7 at Angsana Laguna Phuket, the island's hospitality sector focused on a pressing question: how can hotels prove their sustainability efforts are real? The answer, as demonstrated by InterContinental Phuket Resort, lies in audited metrics, transparent reporting, and operational changes that go beyond marketing.
The resort has become the first InterContinental in Thailand to earn Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, following an independent audit by Control Union Certifications. This makes it the third IHG property in the country to achieve the standard, which evaluates sustainable management, socioeconomic impacts, cultural impacts, and environmental performance.
“GSTC Certification is significant because it independently validates the actions our team has been building into the resort for many years,” said Bjorn Courage, General Manager of InterContinental Phuket Resort. The certification provides a framework for the property's broader sustainability strategy, which now includes a Sustainability Management System that tracks environmental and operational indicators annually.
Turning food waste into a resource
Food waste remains one of the resort's biggest challenges—and opportunities. In 2025, the property processed 31,375 kilograms of organic waste through an Oklin composter, converting it into nutrient-rich fertilizer used in its gardens and donated to local groups. The 2026 target is 39,200 kilograms, a 25% increase, with a longer-term goal of composting up to 80% of food waste, up from roughly 26% in 2025.
To prevent waste before it happens, the resort uses AI-powered monitoring to refine portion sizes and inventory management. Buffet optimization and production controls are also in place, aiming for a 30% reduction in food waste this year. The culinary team extends this ethos to its seven dining venues, which prioritize local, seasonal ingredients and even offer zero-waste cocktails made with local botanicals.
Recycling and procurement shifts
Beyond organics, the resort recovered 18,781 kilograms of paper, glass, and metal in 2025, with a 2026 target of 22,500 kilograms. Improved segregation at source and partnerships with licensed recyclers support this goal. The property's responsible procurement policy favors reusable, returnable, and refillable packaging, and it has eliminated single-use plastics like water bottles, straws, and polystyrene containers. Bulk bathroom dispensers have replaced individual amenities, and single-serve condiment sachets are gone except where legally required.
Water management is another pillar: 100% of treated wastewater is reused for landscape irrigation, reducing reliance on freshwater. These measures reflect a shift from viewing waste as a disposal problem to managing each stream for its highest potential—reduce, reuse, recycle, or recover.
Community and marine engagement
The resort's sustainability program extends beyond its grounds. Through the Proud Kamala initiative, it supports regular beach and marine debris removal in Kamala Bay. Offshore, it backs the Ocean For All Foundation's “License to Clean” program, whose catamaran collects waste from surrounding waters. These efforts contribute to biodiversity protection and community wellbeing, aligning with the broader goals discussed at PHIST 2026.
The panel session “The Hotel Trust Factor: Turning Sustainability Claims into Credibility” featured industry voices including Nampetch Tipaxsorn, Director of Marketing at InterContinental Phuket Resort; Sarocha Pakeenuya, a GSTC Auditor and marine biologist; Annaliza Villas Bisnar, Area General Manager at Centara Hotels & Resorts; and Branavan Aruljothi, Country Head for Mekong at Booking.com. They examined how certification, operational performance, digital platforms, and guest engagement can build trust.
For travel professionals, the takeaway is clear: sustainability is no longer a differentiator but a baseline expectation. Properties that can demonstrate measurable results—like InterContinental Phuket's food-waste composting and recycling gains—will lead the market. As the industry moves from compliance to value creation, as highlighted in PHIST 2026 discussions, data-driven approaches will become essential.
InterContinental Phuket's progress offers a model for other hotels in the region. Its GSTC certification and annual Sustainability Management Review provide a template for turning claims into credibility. For those planning new developments, such as InterContinental Penang Resort opening in December, integrating these practices from the start will be key.
As Phuket continues to balance tourism growth with environmental protection, the island's hospitality sector is proving that sustainability can be both a responsibility and a competitive advantage. The measurable results at InterContinental Phuket Resort demonstrate that with the right systems and commitment, hotels can deliver on their promises—and show the numbers to prove it.
