Hotels raise training cash

22 May 2017 2040 | World Travel News

PHUKET More than 300 members, sponsors and friends of the Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation of hoteliers, raised THB4 million to fund 20 tourism scholarships and traineeships that will be awarded to local island residents.

The event was held last weekend when guests made donations to a scholarship fund by purchasing tickets for the charity event, which also featured a live and silent auction with a line-up of prizes that included everything from luxury hotel stays in Bangkok, Hollywood, London, Sydney, Maldives to gourmet dining experiences and a week-long cruise aboard a 77-foot private yacht.

From left: Mark Simmons (head of marketing), Anthony Lark (president), Liz Pangchan (marketing) and Bill Barnett (co-founder) at the Phuket Hotels Association Benefit (PHAB).

The newly appointed governor of Phuket, Norraphat Plodthong, praised the Phuket Hotels Association and its members for recognising and supporting local people, but called on the association to actively engage in preserving the island’s natural beauty, particularly with regard to reducing the amount of plastic discarded by visitors, and by training their staff to be more conscious of the negative long-term impact of pollution on their lives and livelihoods.

A number of respected Thai educational institutions are participating in the PHA scholarship programme, including Prince of Songkla University (Phuket Campus), Phuket Rajabhat University, National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) Phuket Campus, and Ramkhamhang University (Phuket Campus).

Candidates will be chosen based on their skills and commitment and awarded a range of opportunities that includes two, three and four-year vocational, diploma courses, bachelor and master degree programmes, as well as overseas training.

C9 Hotelworks managing director Bill Barnett and one of the founders of the PHA, said: “We have been building this association for six years so it’s gratifying to see so many Phuket hoteliers join forces to support the island community. Human capital is our biggest asset, but also our biggest challenge in the hospitality business. By guiding and training the hotel staff of the future we are helping create a legacy of success for Phuket.”