Phuket’s pristine beaches and turquoise waters may inspire the first visit – but it’s the warmth of the welcome that brings visitors back again and again. Impeccable service and heartfelt hospitality are not just part of the experience here – they are part of the island’s identity.

Recognizing the vital role of people in sustaining Phuket’s global appeal, the Phuket Hotels Association has taken meaningful action. Each year, the association awards hospitality scholarships to local students, guiding them into rewarding careers in tourism.

Fundraising for these scholarships is a community effort, with signature events such as the PHAB charity gala and the Absolutely Fabulous Travel Sale drawing enthusiastic support from across the island.

At RL Phuket, we’re proud to support this initiative. This year’s 007-themed PHAB party was not only a night to remember but a resounding success, raising hundreds of thousands of baht to fund scholarships – including several awarded to students at Phuket Vocational College in June.

But the Phuket Hotels Association’s commitment goes far beyond one-off donations. It’s a carefully structured program that spans education, mentorship, and hands-on experience.

“We partner with international education providers like Cornell, Dusit Thani College, Glion and LesRoches. We partner with local institutions such as Prince of Songkha University’s Phuket Campus (PSU), Rajabhat University and the Phuket Vocational College and more,” says Jayne MacDougall, Executive Director at Phuket Hotels Association.

“We support economically disadvantaged local students who lack the means for education but have real academic potential.”

“We view these students as future hospitality professionals. First, they do their hospitality and tourism courses, and after that, we provide internships at our member hotels so they get an opportunity to work in the field,” she adds.

The opportunity is transformative. As the program has started 8 years ago, many former interns are now employed full-time, some even holding leadership roles in hotel management.

“Hotels offer a wide capacity for interns in skill-specific environments, providing structured educational workshops and ongoing support for interns and trainees throughout the year,” Jayne says.

Language skills are a key focus. Many students enter the program with limited ability to communicate in English – a major hurdle in an international tourism hub like Phuket. But that quickly changes when English becomes a tool of trade.

“We see them later, and we feel very proud to have had a role in their journey. We have made a difference and have made a small contribution back to the community that we work and live in, and the hospitality sector has local talent and greater resilience – these are the results that we look for,” Jayne concludes.