Phuket launches green hotel financing scheme to boost sustainable tourism

The ‘Financing the Transition: Green Solutions for Hotels’ project was launched Tuesday at the Pearl Phuket Hotel by the Bank of Thailand’s Deputy Governor Rung Mallikamas, alongside the Department of Climate Change and Environment, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and several commercial banks. The initiative aims to position Phuket as a model for sustainable hotel operations while enhancing Thailand’s tourism competitiveness. The programme will provide financial and technical support to help hotels in Phuket transition to environmentally friendly business models.

Financial Incentives and Industry Response

The new project builds on the broader ‘Financing the Transition’ scheme, which since 2024 has issued over B163 billion in loans to more than 700 businesses nationwide. This phase targets hotels specifically, offering access to financing, green technology, and carbon management systems.

Industry leaders in Phuket have welcomed the move. Angkhana Thaneswisetsakul, Vice President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, cited data from global booking platforms showing that over 80% of travellers now prioritise environmentally responsible accommodation.

Operational Benefits and Certification Tools

Participating hotels will receive support for carbon footprint assessments, including access to CF-Hotels systems, and guidance on meeting Thailand’s ‘Green Hotel Plus’ standard and international certifications such as the IFC’s EDGE.

Hotels adopting sustainable practices can reduce operating costs by 20-30% through improved energy and resource efficiency, according to Thaneswisetsakul. The programme is expected to help properties attract higher-value markets, especially European tourists with strict environmental requirements. Hotel operators have requested further government assistance in training and reducing certification costs to speed up adoption.

Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-pilots-green-hotel-push-99988.php