Behind every Success is a strong team

Bjorn Courage, General Manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, is a Dutch national with over 25 years of experience in the global hospitality industry. His career spans iconic brands including IHG, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Six Senses, and Mandarin Oriental, with international postings across the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Maldives, Thailand, Micronesia, Japan, and China. A Cornell Executive Leadership alumnus, Bjorn is a passionate advocate for community development and impactful sustainability initiatives throughout Phuket.

Jayne MacDougall brings over 20 years of hospitality experience in Thailand. Most recently, she served as Senior Consultant on the GIZ-led CAP-SEA project addressing single-use plastic prevention across Southeast Asia. Prior to that, Jayne held the role of Risk Management Consultant at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort under Marriott, and spent nearly 20 years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, building substantial expertise in hotel risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational sustainability practices.

Brett Wilson is a highly experienced senior hotel executive with over 30 years across the Asia Pacific region. A founding board member of the Phuket Hotels Association, he served on the marketing committee during its formative early years. Currently General Manager of Pullman Phuket Naithon Beach for over a decade, Brett is deeply passionate about the island and its community, maintaining an active focus on fundraising for underprivileged children throughout the Phuket area.

Daniel Meury, General Manager at Andara Resort & Villas, is a Swiss-born hotelier with 25+ years in luxury hospitality management across six Asian countries. Following successful postings in Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and China, Daniel has spent a decade in Phuket, proudly calling the region home. Alongside leading Andara, he is overseeing the development of the new Aquella Resort in neighbouring Phang Nga province, combining strong operational leadership with a passion for destination development.

Christoph Weidemann is a dedicated hospitality professional with a profound commitment to enhancing Phuket as a premier destination. Currently General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort, his Hilton career began at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia, marking his second tenure on the island. With over 20 years of industry experience, Christoph brings deep expertise in operations and guest services, and is passionate about initiatives that benefit both the local community and the broader tourism sector.

Founder of the Phuket Hotels Association, Bill Barnett brings over 30 years' experience in the Asian hospitality industry. He has held senior executive roles across hotel operations, development, and asset management, and is widely recognised as a leading global authority on hotel residences. Having occupied almost every seat around the hospitality and real estate table, Bill actively shares industry insight through major conference presentations and regular contributions to leading international hospitality publications.

Sumi Soorian joined the Phuket Hotels Association at its founding in 2016 as Development Director and has since transitioned into the role of Senior Advisor. A marketing and communications professional specialising in project management and business development, Sumi brings a truly international perspective to her work, having completed her studies in the USA and built a distinguished career spanning Australia, China, and Thailand across a wide range of industries and diverse organisations.

Boon Yongsakul is Managing Director of Boat Development Company, a dynamic local firm behind some of Phuket's most innovative commercial projects, significantly elevating the island's business infrastructure to impressive new heights. Educated largely in New Zealand, Boon graduated from the University of Canterbury at Christchurch with a degree in civil engineering, before returning to Bangkok to complete an MBA in Finance and Marketing at the prestigious Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration.

Sears Jivavisitnont's hospitality career began with Marriott International in Hong Kong. Now serving as Executive Director of Jee Teng Hospitality Group, he leads a growing portfolio of 600 operating keys at the recently opened Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, with a further 1,000 keys set to join the portfolio in the near future. Deeply committed to Phuket's development, Sears is also pursuing an Executive Masters in Hospitality Management at Cornell University.

Eric founded Greenview in 2008, now the leading consulting and data firm for sustainability in hospitality and tourism. Clients include the world's largest hotel companies, owners, developers, cruise lines, NGOs, DMOs, OTAs, and organisations such as the WTTC, UNWTO, and AHLA. With 25 years of hands-on experience across sustainability and industry operations, Eric is a frequent international speaker, researcher, and convener on sustainability and ESG, having launched several influential initiatives across the sector.

David left his native UK armed with an arts degree, journalism qualifications, and very little in the way of a plan. Arriving in Asia shortly after, he built what began as a two-person operation into one of the region's leading specialists in communications for the hospitality sector over 12 years. Prior to that, he spent 15 years in Asia's media industry as a writer, editor, and publisher with leading press organisations, holding senior roles across Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand.

Michael Massey is a seasoned hospitality executive and former Cluster General Manager for Absolute World Group, overseeing three resorts across Phuket. With over 30 years of experience in Asia-Pacific, including roles with Sheraton and Radisson, he brings deep expertise in operations, wellness, and sustain-ability. As a PHA member, Michael chaired the Sustainability Committee, represented the association at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024, and launched a wellness centre in Phuket, blending innovation with environmental responsibility.

Sam Sethi is a founding member of the Phuket Real Estate Association (PREA) and President of Phuket-based property developer The Onella Group. A prominent figure in the island's property and business community, Sam currently serves as Board Member of both the Phuket Chamber of Commerce and PKCD (Phuket City Development), where he actively contributes to shaping the strategic direction of commercial growth and long-term urban development initiatives across the island of Phuket.