Phuket Vice Governor Sommai Prichasilpa said that tourism industry representatives from 10 other island cities have confirmed their attendance to the Pre-ITOP meeting, which will take place from May 20-23 at the Royal Phuket City Hotel.
Other than Phuket, also to be represented at the pre-meeting will be the cities of Hainan, China; Jeju, South Korea; Okinawa, Japan; Bali, Indonesia; Southern Province, Sri Lanka; Canary Island, Spain; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Penang, Malaysia; Cebu, Philippines and Hawaii, USA.
The main meeting, to be held at Laguna Phuket from August 20-22, will include tourism representatives as well as key government officials representing 22 cities in 17 countries, she said.
The aim of the meeting is for members to exchange ideas, resources and plans related to hotel and tourism sustainability, with focus topics this year to include human and natural resources management, transportation, coastal destination linking and connectivity, among others.
The main meeting will conclude with the various governors and vice governors of each participating city signing a Joint Statement to demonstrate their mutual understanding, cooperation and commitment to sustainable tourism practices.
Last year’s ITOP meeting was held in Hainan, and this year's newest member is Penang.