(third left) Phuket Hotels Association President Anthony Lark; (fourth left) Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana; and (fourth right) Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai — Photo by Phuket Hotels Association

The Phuket Hotels Association has joined forces with Hotel Resilient to launch the COVID-READY Certification scheme, a new initiative to provide guidance, resources and tools to support the safe reopening of hotels and to help restore confidence in the island's hotel industry following Covid-19.

Hotel Resilient is the world's only scientific benchmarking and certification body for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in the hospitality industry. It provides hotels and resorts with risk analytics, digital platforms and pragmatic tools for disaster and climate resilient planning, design and operations.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, Hotel Resilient highlighted disease outbreak as one of multiple hazards potentially impacting hotels. In the wake of the pandemic, Dr. Trevor Girard, Director of Standards and Accreditation at Hotel Resilient and his team of risk specialists have evaluated the scientific evidence, international guidelines and industry best practices to set new standards that cover all aspects of a hotel's COVID-19 prevention and response strategy.

Travelers Demand Safety Above All

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread to almost every country in the world, and its impact on the tourism industry has been tremendous. Due to travel bans and nation-wide shutdowns, hotel bookings have decreased drastically and many hotels have temporarily closed. Even when restrictions ease and travel bans are lifted, it will be some time before it is business as usual.

For months if not years, travellers will be extra cautious with their travel plans, most likely preferring destinations with little to no Covid-19 cases. In terms of accommodation, hotels that can provide an extra level of protection against the virus will be in high demand.

"The new COVID-READY Certification scheme will provide assessment, guidance and support to our Phuket hotels as they prepare to reopen," commented Anthony Lark, President of the Phuket Hotels Association. "Member hotels can obtain this internationally recognised certification, which will showcase Phuket as a safe destination and provide reassurance that hotels are working together to ensure the protection of their guests, staff and the community. Health and safety has never been more important than now, as we prepare to reopen our doors," Mr. Lark added.

Teaming up with Hotel Resilient marks the next major step in the association's efforts to work together in restoring confidence in Phuket, and helping hotels prepare to resume operations with enhanced hygiene practices. Dr. Bijan Khazai and the Hotel Resilient team will work alongside the Phuket Hotels Association, member hotels, and local authorities to develop supporting tools and support hotels obtain international certification.

The Hotel Resilient COVID-READY Certification scheme is aligned with the internationally recognized Hotel Resilient global standards on disaster risk management. It goes beyond hygiene and safety, addressing systemic and procedural changes to minimise risk and address various crisis management aspects, such as response planning, business continuity, and crisis communication with regard to COVID-19.

These new standards are supported by a user-friendly audit and task management software that allows hotels to prioritise areas where action is needed to improve their level of Covid-19 preparedness. In addition, interactive and engaging e-Learning courses are available on the platform, helping to bring hotel staff up-to-speed on the current COVID-19 pandemic threat and describing their roles in the COVID-READY standards, such as preventing transmission or responding to an infection.

"The COVID-READY Certification scheme will make Phuket one of the first tourism destinations in the world to take a proactive approach to safety and hygiene preparedness, based on world-class standards. Once all 70+ Phuket Hotels Association's member properties are audited and certified, it will provide a safer environment for visitors, hotel staff and the Phuket community," commented Dr. Bijan Khazai, CEO of Hotel Resilient.
For more information about Phuket Hotels Association, please visit https://www.phukethotelsassociation.com. To learn more about Hotel Resilient, please head to https://hotelresilient.org.

About Phuket Hotels Association

The Phuket Hotels Association is a nonprofit organization comprising a broad spectrum of hotels. Our goal is to promote a well-rounded, dynamic picture of Phuket to travelers from around the world by celebrating the diversity of Phuket's natural resources and vibrant culture, while at the same time providing educational scholarships, environmental initiatives and other community-based activities to help nuture and develop Phuket's standing as one of the world's most sought-after destinations.

Phuket Hotels Association members are as follows: 9 Hornbills Tented Camp, Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa, Amanpuri, Amari Phuket, Amora Beach Resort Phuket, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket, Andara Resort & Villas, Angsana Laguna Phuket, Avista Grand Phuket Karon – Mgallery, Baan Laimai, Baan Yin Dee Boutique Resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, Barceló Coconut Island, Best Western Phuket, Burasari Phuket, Cassia Phuket, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, COMO Point Yamu, Courtyard Marriott Phuket Town, Dewa Phuket Resort and Villas, DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Fisherman Way Beach Resort, Four Points by Sheraton Phuket, Patong Beach, Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bangtao, Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Patong, HOMA, Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, InterContinental Phuket Resort, Island Escape by Burasari, JonoX Phuket Karon Hotel, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Kata Rocks Resort & Residences, Keemala Phuket, Koyao Island Resort, Kudo Hotel Patong, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Le Meridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort, Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa, Centara Boutique Collection, Mangosteen Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, Marina Gallery Resort - Kacha - Kalim Bay, Meliá Phuket Karon Residences, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, Metadee Concept Hotel, Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket, M SOCIAL Hotel Phuket, My Beach Hotel, NH Boat Lagoon Resort, Noku Phuket, Nonnee Kata Beach Phuket, Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach, Outrigger Surin Beach Resort, Paresa Resort, Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Karon Beach Resort, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, Radisson Resort and Suites, Radisson Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach, Rayaburi Hotel Patong, Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, Rosewood Phuket, SAii Laguna Phuket, SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort, Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resorts & Spa, Selina Serenity Rawai Phuket, Six Senses Yao Noi, Stay Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort, Thanyapura Sports Hotel, Thavorn Beach Village Resort and Spa, The AIM Patong Hotel, The Bell Pool Villa Resort, The Boathouse Phuket, The Kora Beach Resort, The Nai Harn, The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, The Pavilions Phuket, The Seaton House Phuket, The Shore at Katathani, The Slate, Phuket, The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket, Tree House Villas Koh Yao, Trisara, Twinpalms MontAzure, Twinpalms Phuket, V Villas Phuket, Villa PhuKhao, Wyndham Grand Nai Harn Beach Phuket, Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay

Anthony Lark
President, Phuket Hotels Association
Phuket Hotels Association