Sustainable tourism in Phuket: The model of the Kata Thani Resort

Sustainable tourism in Phuket: The model of the Kata Thani Resort

There is currently a lot of excitement about sustainable environmental management in Phuket. Phuket Governor Niran Phongsitthavorn recently recognized Kata Thani Phuket Beach Resort's exemplary environmental management model. The hotel specializes in implementing a zero-waste management system, making it the only hotel in the area to put such a concept into practice. With an impressive daily waste volume of around 2.5 tonnes, which is processed without unpleasant odors or dust, the resort sets new standards in the industry.

Kata Thani Phuket Beach Resort invested over 2 million baht in its waste management and generates more than 900,000 baht annually. These efforts are not only economically beneficial, but also urgently needed as Phuket struggles with serious environmental problems, particularly in the area of ​​waste management.

Waste management and challenges

The Phuket Electricity Company reports that over 1,200 tonnes of waste is generated daily, while current incineration plants can only process 700 tonnes. This results in more than 500 tonnes of waste being sent to landfill per day, resulting in a worrying accumulation of over 1.2 million tonnes of waste in the region.

Niran Phongsitthavorn plans to use Kata Thani Phuket Beach Resort's successful waste management model as a template for other areas of the island. An exchange forum is planned for local authorities, companies and educational institutions to promote awareness and measures to avoid waste. A particularly important point is the reduction of organic waste, which accounts for around 60% of total waste, by January 2024.

The role of an environmental management system

In order to effectively address the environmental problem, it is not only important to find individual solutions, but also to introduce a structured environmental management system (EMS). The international standard ISO 14001 specifies the requirements here. This standard helps companies to systematically reduce their environmental impact while complying with legal requirements. An EMS includes the planning, implementation, monitoring and optimization of relevant measures and can bring significant benefits, including cost reduction and an improved image.

The introduction of an EMS can not only help improve environmental performance, but also increase the competitiveness of companies. It also provides a clear framework for identifying and evaluating environmental aspects and setting environmentally friendly goals.

In summary, Phuket faces major challenges in waste management, but with innovative approaches such as that of Kata Thani Phuket Beach Resort and the principles of an effective environmental management system according to ISO 14001, the island can be set on a promising path to improving the environmental situation. Full coverage of these developments can be found at prd.go.th and for more in-depth information about environmental management systems, visit vorest-ag.com.