The InterContinental Phuket Resort has achieved a significant milestone by securing certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This distinction positions it as the inaugural InterContinental property in Thailand and the third among IHG Hotels & Resorts in the country to earn this prestigious sustainability certification. Control Union Certifications, accredited by GSTC, conducted an independent audit covering key areas such as management, socioeconomic impacts, cultural considerations, and environmental performance.
The resort has implemented various sustainability initiatives, focusing on water and energy conservation, reducing food waste, promoting local sourcing, protecting the ocean, and engaging in community projects across Phuket. Notably, their food-waste program incorporates an Oklin Food Waste Composter, capable of processing around 125 kilograms of food waste daily. This system effectively diminishes waste volume by 80-90% within a day, transforming it into fertilizer. This effort results in the production of roughly 360 kilograms of fertilizer each month, which is distributed to local organizations, schools, gardens, and farms.
Further enhancing their commitment to sustainability, the resort employs AI-based food-waste monitoring to aid culinary teams in identifying discarded food, thus enabling adjustments in portion sizes, purchasing, and inventory practices. Environmental efforts extend to Kamala Beach through the Proud Kamala initiative, focusing on preserving approximately three kilometers of coastline while minimizing waste entering the marine ecosystem. Additionally, the resort collaborates with the Ocean For All Foundation’s “License to Clean” program, which utilizes a coastal-cleaning catamaran to collect and sort waste from the waters around Kamala for recycling, reuse, or disposal.
Water conservation also plays a crucial role in the resort’s sustainable operations, with about 80% of landscape irrigation needs met through treated wastewater, alongside rainwater harvesting and other measures to lessen reliance on potable water. Energy efficiency is enhanced through LEED Gold certification, incorporating LED lighting, motion sensors, lighting controls, and energy monitoring to achieve about 25% energy savings. The resort actively supports local sourcing by partnering with over 19 farmers and communities in Thailand, including some in Phang Nga, where farms benefit from the resort’s food-waste-derived fertilizer.
Collaborations extend to Sipping Tiger, where the resort works with Chulalongkorn University and Kasetsart University to craft cocktails using locally sourced plants and botanicals, drawing on materials that might otherwise be overlooked or wasted. General Manager Bjorn Courage emphasizes that the GSTC certification not only validates the resort’s sustainability efforts but also provides a framework for ongoing improvements in its environmental and community programs. The InterContinental Phuket Resort, located on Kamala Beach, features 221 rooms, suites, and villas, alongside a range of amenities including restaurants, bars, wellness facilities, and swimming pools.
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