JEJU, South Korea – Phuket Province presented its Regenerative Blueprint for sustainable tourism at the 27th Inter-Island Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum 2026, held in Jeju, South Korea, from October 28–30. On October 28, Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom participated in the ITOP Leaders Roundtable and presented the province’s vision, Phuket: Leaping Forward for Global Island Tourism, based on the Regenerative Blueprint.
The strategy prioritizes infrastructure and public utilities, human capital development and community empowerment, and positioning Phuket as a global wellness destination. Key initiatives include enhancing transportation, water and energy management, waste systems, and coastal protection, as well as strengthening workforce skills and community-based tourism.
Phuket also seeks to integrate healthcare, traditional spa services, cultural heritage, and natural attractions to support wellness tourism and create sustainable economic opportunities. During the forum, Phuket proposed creating an ITOP Inter-Island Working Group on Infrastructure and Wellness to facilitate knowledge-sharing among member destinations in workforce development, green technologies, and wellness tourism standards.
The province also highlighted Thai cultural heritage with a Khon performance by five-year-old students from Phuket Municipality Kindergarten School. The Phuket Governor encouraged the young performers before they presented Thailand’s traditional masked dance drama to international participants.
Phuket’s participation in the forum demonstrates its ongoing commitment to strengthening international tourism cooperation and advancing sustainable development through innovation, community participation, and environmental responsibility. Through the blueprint, the province seeks to enhance infrastructure, strengthen local communities, develop wellness tourism, and deliver lasting economic and social benefits for residents and visitors. (NNT)
