The InterContinental Phuket Resort has achieved a milestone in sustainability by securing certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This makes it the first InterContinental hotel in Thailand and the third IHG Hotels & Resorts location in the country to earn this prestigious recognition. The certification, validated by Control Union Certifications, a GSTC-accredited body, evaluates key areas of sustainable tourism, including management practices, socioeconomic and cultural impacts, as well as environmental performance.
The resort’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its various initiatives. It has implemented water and energy conservation measures, food-waste reduction programs, and local sourcing strategies. A notable effort is the use of an Oklin Food Waste Composter, which can process approximately 125 kilograms of food waste daily, cutting down waste volume by 80-90% within a day and turning it into fertilizer. This process yields around 360 kilograms of fertilizer each month, benefitting local schools, gardens, and farms. Additionally, AI-based food-waste monitoring helps the culinary team optimize portion sizes and improve inventory management.
Environmental conservation extends beyond the resort to Kamala Beach through the Proud Kamala program, which focuses on maintaining a three-kilometer stretch of coastline and minimizing marine waste. The resort collaborates with the Ocean For All Foundation’s “License to Clean” initiative, using a catamaran to collect and sort waste from nearby waters for recycling or disposal. Water conservation is another priority, with about 80% of irrigation needs met through treated wastewater and rainwater harvesting.
The resort, which boasts LEED Gold certification, integrates energy-efficient technologies like LED lighting, motion sensors, and energy monitoring to achieve 25% energy savings. Its commitment to local sourcing is also strong, working with over 19 farmers and communities across Thailand. This partnership involves using fertilizer from the resort’s composting process to bolster local agriculture, forging a sustainable cycle of food production and waste management.
In addition to these efforts, the resort engages with Chulalongkorn University and Kasetsart University at its Sipping Tiger venue to create cocktails from locally sourced plants and botanicals, focusing on underutilized resources. According to General Manager Bjorn Courage, the GSTC certification offers independent validation of the resort’s environmental and community programs, providing a framework for continuous improvement in sustainability practices. Situated on Kamala Beach, InterContinental Phuket Resort offers 221 rooms, suites, and villas, along with a variety of guest amenities.
Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this article has been provided by independent third-party contributors, clients, or content partners. We do not independently verify the accuracy, completeness, legality, ownership, licensing, or reliability of submitted content, including text, images, videos, trademarks, or other media materials. The submitting party is solely responsible for ensuring that all content, including images and media assets, complies with applicable copyright, trademark, licensing, and intellectual property laws. We disclaim liability for any unauthorized use of copyrighted or proprietary materials by third parties. If you believe that any content published on this platform infringes your intellectual property rights, kindly contact the author above for prompt review and resolution.