Press Release
Bjorn Courage was named as the association’s President and Sumi Soorian was promoted to the function of Executive Director, whereas long-term chief Anthony Lark will proceed to function a Senior Advisor
PHUKET, THAILAND: The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation with 72 member properties has embarked on an thrilling new era with the appointment of a new senior management staff.
Bjorn Courage, General Manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, who has greater than 25 years of experience in the hospitality trade, has been named because the Association’s new President of the Phuket Hotels Association, succeeding founding President, Anthony Lark, ex-General Manager of Amanpuri, Trisara, and now Executive Director at HMD, Shinta Mani and Bensley Collection resorts.
Sumi Soorian, who has been with the Phuket Hotels Association since its foundation in 2016 and most lately served as Development Director, has also been promoted to Executive Director. A advertising and communications skilled who specialises in challenge management and business growth, Sumi graduated in the USA and has worked in a quantity of nations, including Australia, China and Thailand.
Bjorn strikes into the function of President at a time of optimism for Phuket’s tourism and hospitality trade. The island was one of the first Southeast Asian locations to safely reopen to international guests when it launched the progressive “Phuket Sandbox” programme in July 2021, and its motels and resorts at the second are gearing up for a robust recovery within the winter excessive season and past.
There can be few more certified individuals to lead this proactive organisation than Bjorn. During the course of a 25-year career, he has worked with lots of the industry’s most iconic brands, including IHG, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Six Senses, and Mandarin Oriental. Roadmap completed Cornell University’s Executive Leadership programme. “During these preliminary times of restoration from the Covid pandemic, I am proud to serve our member motels, communities and vacation spot to one of the best of my capability. I will strive to proceed and additional evolve the essential work accomplished by the association, working groups and member resorts to-date, particularly in regard to our association’s three key pillars: Marketing, Environment and Education. Thank you to Anthony for his management for the rationale that inauguration of the Phuket Hotel Association and for continuing to serve the Association as Senior Advisor,” Bjorn commented.
Since it was founded in January 2016, the Phuket Hotels Association has grown to represent seventy two of the island’s prime internationally-branded and impartial luxury and midscale hotels and resorts, comprising simply over 12,000 rooms. Each of those members has made a commitment to the vacation spot and, by way of the Phuket Hotels Association, are actively investing in a sustainable future through long-term environmental and academic initiatives.
Anthony Lark will continue to function a Senior Advisor to the Association, alongside Bill Barnett, a founder of the Phuket Hotels Association and Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, David Keen, CEO of QUO, David Johnson, CEO of Delivering Asia Communications, Boon Yongsakul, Chairman of Boat Pattana, and Saharat Jivavisitnont, Executive Director at Jee Teng Hospitality Group.
ENDS
For further info and high-resolution photography, please contact:
Bjorn Courage President Phuket Hotels Association E-mail: president@phukethotelsassociation.com,
David Johnson CEO Delivering Asia Communications E-mail: dj@deliveringasia.com Website: www.deliveringcommunications.com
Phuket Hotels Association
The Phuket Hotels Association is a nonprofit group comprising a broad spectrum of hotels primarily based in Phuket. Our aim is to advertise a well-rounded, dynamic image of Phuket to travellers from all over the world by celebrating the diversity of Phuket’s pure sources and vibrant culture, while on the same time offering academic scholarships, environmental initiatives and other community-based activities to help nurture and develop Phuket’s standing as one of the world’s most sought-after locations.
Phuket Hotels Association members are as follows:
Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa, Amanpuri, Amari Phuket, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket, Andaman House Phuket, Andara Resort & Villas, Angsana Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket, Best Western Patong, Best Western Plus The Beachfront Rawai, Boat Lagoon Resort, Burasari Phuket, Cape Sienna Phuket Gourmet Hotel & Villas, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, COMO Point Yamu, Courtyard Marriott Phuket Town, Dewa Phuket, DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Four Points by, Sheraton Phuket, Patong Beach, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Resort, Phuket, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, InterContinental Phuket Resort, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Kalima Resort and Spa, Kata Rocks Resort & Residences, Keemala Phuket, Kudo Hotel Patong, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa, Centara Boutique Collection, Mangosteen Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, My Bea