Behind every Success is a strong team

Bjorn Courage, General Manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, is a Dutch national with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. During his 25-year career, he has worked with many of the industry’s most iconic brands, including IHG, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Six Senses, and Mandarin Oriental and has been based out of Netherlands, United Kingdom, Maldives, Thailand, Micronesia, Japan and China. He also successfully completed Cornell University’s Executive Leadership programme and is a key advocate for community improving projects and initiatives across Phuket.

Jayne MacDougall has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry in Thailand. Her most recent role was as Senior Consultant on the GIZ (German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH) pilot project in Asia (CAP-SEA) “The Collaborative Actions for Single- Use Plastic Prevention in Southeast Asia” Prior to that, Jayne was Risk Management Consultant at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort with Marriott group and earlier with Starwood Hotels and Resorts for nearly 20 years.

Brett Wilson, a highly experienced senior hotel executive with over 30 years’ experience in Asia Pacific region Brett is a founding board member of the Phuket Hotel Association and part of the marketing group for the first two years of the groups existence. Currently the General Manager of the Pullman Phuket Naithon Beach for the past 10 years with a passion for the island and community we live in, with an active focus on fundraising activities for the under-privileged and children of the Phuket area.

Daniel Meury, the General Manager at Andara Resort & Villas. Swiss-born Daniel is a seasoned hotelier with 25+ years of experience in luxury hospitality management spanning six Asian countries. After stints in Malaysia, Burma, Indonesia, and China, Daniel has now been in Phuket for ten years with Andara Resort & Villas and proudly calls the dynamic Phuket region his home. Together with his Team, they are also managing the development of the new Aquella Resort in neighbouring Phang Nga province.

Christoph Weidemann, a dedicated hospitality professional with a profound commitment to enhancing Phuket as a premier destination. Currently serving as the General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort. His career with Hilton began at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia, marking his second tenure on this beautiful island. With over 20 years in the industry, I have a deep understanding of operations and guest services, and he is passionate about initiatives benefiting the local community and tourism sector.

Founder of the Phuket Hotels Association, Bill Barnett brings over 30 years’ experience in the Asian hospitality Industry. Bill held senior executive roles in hotel operations, development and asset management. He is considered to be a leading global authority on hotel residences and has sat at almost every seat around the hospitality and real estate table. Bill promotes industry insight through regular conference presentations at key events and contributes to numerous industry publications.

Sumi Soorian, who joined the management team of Phuket Hotels Association since its foundation in 2016 as Development Director, has now transitioned to be Senior Advisor. A marketing and communications professional who specializes in project management and business development. Sumi graduated in the USA and has worked in various countries, including Australia, China and Thailand.

Boon Yongsakul is the Managing Director of Boat Development Company, the dynamic local entity building some of Phuket’s innovative commercial projects that has lifted the island’s business infrastructure to new heights. Boon received much of his education in New Zealand. He graduated from the University of Canterbury at Christchurch with a degree in civil engineering and then returned to Bangkok where he enrolled at the prestigious Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration and obtained an MBA in Finance and Marketing.

Sears Jivavisitnont’s hospitality career started off in Hong Kong with Marriott International. Presently, as Jee Teng Hospitality Group’s Executive Director, Sears is spearheading the group’s portfolio that comprises 600 operating keys under recently opened Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, while another 1000 keys are to be inaugurated into the portfolio in the near future. Sears is strongly committed to the development of the Island by bringing new ideas and knowledge as he also furthers his studies in Executive Masters of Management in Hospitality at Cornell University.

Eric founded Greenview in 2008, the leading consulting and data firm for sustainability within hospitality and tourism. Greenview's clients include most of the largest hotel companies as well as hotel owners and developers, event organizers, cruise lines, NGOs, DMOs, OTAs and industry organizations including the WTTC, UNWTO, and AHLA. With 25 years of hands-on experience in both sustainability and industry,Eric is a frequent speaker, convener, and researcher on sustainability and ESG, having launched several initiatives

David set out from his native UK on an uncharted course across the globe with armed with an arts degree, journalism qualifications and little in the way of a plan. He arrived in Asia a few months later and the rest, as they say, is history. He went on to build what began life as a two-man operation 12 years ago into one of the region’s leading specialists in communications for the hospitality sector. Previously he spent 15 years in Asia’s media industry as a writer, editor and publisher with leading press organisations in positions in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.

Sam Sethi, founding member of the Phuket Real Estate Association (PREA) and President of Phuket-based developer The Onella is currently the Board Member of Phuket Chamber of Commerce and Board of PKCD "Phuket City Development".

Michael Massey is a seasoned hospitality executive and Cluster GM for Absolute World Group, overseeing three resorts in Phuket. With over 30 years’ experience across Asia-Pacific—including Sheraton and Radisson—he brings deep expertise in operations, wellness, and sustainability. As a Phuket Hotels Association member, he chaired the Sustainability Committee and represented Phuket Hotels Association at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024. He also launched a wellness center in Phuket. Michael’s leadership blends innovation, service excellence, and environmental consciousness.