In 25th September 2024, Phuket hosted the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum, a gathering of over 150 tourism policymakers and sustainability experts. The forum focused on critical issues such as climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable tourism practices. While addressing topics like green finance and community-based tourism, a glaring omission was the issue of overtourism—a growing concern for Phuket, which has been branded the world’s most overcrowded destination with a staggering 118:1 tourist-to-local ratio.
This post-pandemic influx has overburdened local infrastructure and ecosystems. Popular beaches like Kata and Karon are overrun, exacerbated by climate change, have led to landslides, floods, and significant ecological damage. Despite the economic benefits, local tourism operators and environmental advocates are calling for sustainable practices and stricter regulations to prevent further degradation.
On September 25, Phuket’s Governor, Mr. Sophon Suwannarat set the tone, underscoring the urgency of climate action. “We must take climate change seriously” he asserted, emphasizing that islands, which heavily depend on fragile ecosystems, are on the frontlines of environmental change. The Governor also stressed the need for coordinated collaboration across ITOP member cities to tackle rising waste, empower communities, and ensure sustainability is woven into the future of tourism.
Representatives from Bali and Zanzibar echoed these sentiments. Bali’s government shared its approach to involving local communities in tourism management, aiming to preserve cultural heritage and protect the environment. Zanzibar, a leader in sustainable tourism in Africa, announced comprehensive measures to be launched later this year, signaling a strong commitment to preserving its natural heritage while fostering tourism growth.
One of the most thought-provoking speakers was Dr. Weerasak Kowsurat, former Minister of Tourism of Thailand. Dr. Weerasak outlined the multifaceted environmental challenges island destinations face, from marine life destruction and water shortages to the impacts of rising ocean temperatures and methane emissions. He emphasized the urgent need for technology and policies that address the root causes of climate change, which are accelerating at an alarming rate.
“Ocean currents are slowing, rain belts are shifting, and coral calcification is delaying marine life recovery. The ripple effects of these changes will touch every aspect of tourism and life on our islands” he cautioned. Dr. Weerasak also emphasized the importance of adaptation, urging island communities to embrace innovation in areas such as water conservation and renewable energy.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative, Niamh Collier-Smith, spoke on the critical role of tourism in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Tourism, she explained, is not just an economic powerhouse but also a vehicle for promoting cultural preservation, gender equality, and sustainability. She emphasized the need for reimagining tourism as a driver of sustainable practices, from hiring policies that support inclusivity to developing accessible tourism for people with disabilities.
Collier-Smith noted that while many countries have made strides in improving human development indexes, their progress comes at the cost of high carbon emissions. Tourism has a significant environmental footprint, contributing to around 8% of global emissions. The challenge, she explained, lies in finding ways to balance tourism growth with environmental preservation.
The forum also showcased local initiatives such as the Phuket Old Town Carbon Neutrality 2030 project, Scholars of Sustenance (SOS), and the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project showcased efforts to balance tourism growth with environmental protection. In a particularly moving session, delegates learned about the reintroduction of gibbons to Phuket after a 40-year absence, underscoring the role of wildlife conservation in tourism ecosystems.
In addition to keynote speeches, the ITOP Forum featured a range of interactive sessions designed to foster collaboration among participants. A hackathon, for example, encouraged delegates to brainstorm and develop creative solutions for water resource management, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable tourism awareness with young students from local primary schools. These workshops aimed to spark actionable ideas that can be applied across ITOP’s 13 member regions, including Jeju, Bali, Zanzibar, Hainan and Okinawa.
The following day, participants were invited on a post-event tour of Phuket Old Town, led by the Phuket Young Ambassadors. The tour showcased Phuket’s efforts to become a carbon-neutral tourism hub by 2030, blending the town’s rich historical charm with modern sustainability practices. The excursion also highlighted the role of community-based tourism in promoting cultural preservation and sustainability, particularly through partnerships with local tour operators like Local Alike.
Looking ahead, Phuket has been selected to host the Thailand Biennale 2025, an international contemporary art festival running from November 2025 to April 2026. Themed “Eternity,” the event will explore the complex and sustainable relationship between humans and nature, further cementing Phuket’s role as a leader in both the arts and sustainability.
While sustainability measures, like those highlighted at the forum, are essential, the absence of overtourism in the discourse suggests a widening gap between promoting tourism and ensuring long-term sustainability. Although the event featured promising local initiatives like the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project and the Phuket Carbon Neutrality 2030 campaign, addressing overtourism must be integrated into these conversations.
Phuket’s future as a tourist destination depends on balancing economic growth with environmental conservation. With the Thailand Biennale 2025 approaching, themed around “Eternity,” the challenge will be ensuring that culture and nature can coexist in a way that preserves the island’s unique identity. Failure to address overtourism threatens the very qualities that make Phuket a desirable destination.
The forum’s discussions reinforced the need for collaboration between island regions, as evidenced by the participation of members like Bali and Zanzibar, who are also grappling with similar challenges. The 25th anniversary of ITOP marks a critical moment for island destinations to reimagine tourism, not just as an economic driver, but as a tool for fostering sustainable development that can withstand the pressures of both climate change and overtourism.
The ITOP Forum, established in 1997, continues to serve as a vital platform for island destinations to share knowledge and develop strategies for overcoming the unique challenges they face. With member regions such as Okinawa, Penang City, Cebu, and Hainan also in attendance, the 2024 forum reinforced the importance of cross-regional collaboration.
As the event draws to a close, it’s clear that the challenges of climate change and sustainable tourism require not just local solutions but global cooperation. The ITOP Forum’s commitment to fostering these connections among island communities remains as relevant today as it was 33 years ago.
