InterContinental Phuket Resort has achieved a significant milestone by securing certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), marking it as the first InterContinental property in Thailand and the third IHG Hotels & Resorts location in the country to earn this prestigious sustainability recognition. The certification process was carried out by Control Union Certifications, an organization accredited by the GSTC, which conducted an independent audit to evaluate the resort’s performance in four critical areas of sustainable tourism: management, socioeconomic impacts, cultural impacts, and environmental performance.
The resort has implemented several sustainability initiatives, focusing on water and energy conservation, food-waste reduction, local sourcing, ocean protection, and community engagement within Phuket. A key component of its food-waste management is the use of an Oklin Food Waste Composter, which can process approximately 125 kilograms of food waste daily, reducing waste volume by 80-90% within 24 hours and turning it into fertilizer. This process generates around 360 kilograms of fertilizer each month, benefiting local organizations, schools, gardens, and farms. Additionally, AI-based food-waste monitoring assists culinary teams in identifying food disposal patterns, enabling adjustments in portion sizes, purchasing, and inventory management.
Environmental efforts extend to Kamala Beach through the Proud Kamala program, which aims to preserve about three kilometers of coastline and minimize waste entering the marine environment. The resort is also involved with the Ocean For All Foundation’s “License to Clean” initiative, utilizing a coastal-cleaning catamaran to collect and sort waste from the waters around Kamala for recycling, reuse, or disposal. Water conservation is a priority, with approximately 80% of landscape irrigation needs met through treated wastewater, supplemented by rainwater harvesting and other measures to decrease reliance on potable water sources.
In addition to the GSTC certification, the resort holds a LEED Gold certification, achieved through energy-efficient practices such as LED lighting, motion sensors, lighting controls, and energy monitoring, which collectively aim to deliver around 25% energy savings. The resort’s sustainability strategy also emphasizes local sourcing, collaborating with over 19 farmers and communities across Thailand, including those in Phang Nga. Some of these farms utilize fertilizer produced through the resort’s composting efforts, creating a sustainable link between food production, kitchen waste, and dining operations. Furthermore, the resort has partnered with Chulalongkorn University and Kasetsart University at Sipping Tiger to develop cocktails featuring locally sourced plants and botanicals, often incorporating materials that might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.
General Manager Bjorn Courage emphasized that the GSTC certification serves as an independent endorsement of the resort’s commitment to sustainable practices and provides a framework for enhancing its environmental and community initiatives. Situated on Kamala Beach, the InterContinental Phuket Resort offers 221 rooms, suites, and villas, complemented by a range of restaurants, bars, wellness facilities, swimming pools, and other guest amenities.
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