Phuket Hotels Association Appoints Bjorn Courage as President

(15 Dec 2021)  The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation with 72 member properties, has appointed Bjorn Courage, General Manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, as President.

Bjorn Courage

Bjorn succeeds Anthony Lark, Executive Director of HMD Asia, who has been appointed as a Senior Advisor.

During his 25-year career, Bjorn has worked with many of the industry’s most iconic brands, including IHG, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Six Senses, and Mandarin Oriental. He also successfully completed Cornell University’s Executive Leadership programme.

“During these initial times of recovery from the Covid pandemic, I am proud to serve our member hotels, communities and destination to the best of my ability,” Bjorn said. “I will strive to continue and further evolve the important work done by the association, working groups and member hotels to-date, especially in regard to our association’s three key pillars: Marketing, Environment and Education. Thank you to Anthony for his leadership since the inauguration of the Phuket Hotel Association and for continuing to serve the association as Senior Advisor.”

Sumi Soorian, who has been with the Phuket Hotels Association since its foundation in 2016 and most recently served as Development Director, has been promoted to Executive Director.

A marketing and communications professional who specialises in project management and business development, Sumi graduated in the USA and has worked in multiple countries, including Australia, China and Thailand.