PHUKET 7 August 2026: For many businesses, sustainability has become a way of life, but the constant effort to “reduce, reuse and recycle” isn’t always reflected in their bottom line.
It’s a key concern and central to the conversation at PHIST this year about how to turn sustainability into profitability – a conversation led by tourism pioneer Banyan Group. Executive Chairman and Founder KP Ho
More than 1,300 tourism and hospitality professionals will attend PHIST 2026 – a full-day event co-organised by the Phuket Hotels Association, C9 Hotelworks and Greenview.
Staged at Angsana Laguna Phuket on 7 September 2026, this is a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, solution building, and action-taking. More than 25 expert-led sessions, panel discussions, workshops and fireside chats will examine the key issues shaping the industry’s future, from decarbonisation, ESG reporting and responsible supply chains to biodiversity, food systems, technology, destination stewardship and more.
Headlining this year’s event will be KP Ho, who created Banyan Group in 1994 and has built it into one of the world’s most successful luxury hospitality enterprises – without ever losing sight of his founding ethos: “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People.” At PHIST 2026, KP Ho will reveal his vision for the future of sustainable business in conversation with Delivering Asia Founder & CEO David Johnson.
“The future of hospitality belongs to businesses that can demonstrate the value sustainability creates – not only for the environment, but for their guests, employees, investors and local communities,” said KP Ho. “PHIST has become one of the industry’s most important platforms for sharing the innovation, partnerships and practical solutions that will shape tourism in the years ahead.”
PHIST 2026 will also hear from top-level executive and entrepreneurial speakers, including Bjorn Courage, President of the Phuket Hotels Association and General Manager of InterContinental Phuket Resort, Nida Wongphanlert, Managing Director of 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts, Jeff Smith, Vice President – Sustainability at Six Senses, Maitri Fischer, Founder & CEO of Eco Mantra, Willem Neimeijer, CEO of YAANA Ventures, Branavan Aruljothi, Country Head of Booking.com, Laurence Onfroy, Vice President – Asia Pacific at Beyond Green, Tali Goldman, CEO of Market For Good, Ken Kuguru, Managing Director of Winnow, and Tawee Impoolsup, Country Manager of Scholars of Sustenance (SOS Thailand).
Beyond the panel discussions and presentations, visitors can discover the Green Groove Sustainability Exhibition, showcasing innovative technologies, products and services, and dedicated Non-Profit and Farm Zones will connect hotels with local producers. The PHIST Spotlight Video Awards will celebrate industry leadership.
PHIST 2026 will take place at Angsana Laguna Phuket on Monday, 7 September 2026, from 0900 to 1800. Attendance is free of charge, with advance registration required.
To learn more, please visit phist.phukethotelsassociation.com.
(Source: PHIST)
