Phuket Hosts RISE 2026 Leadership Forum as Thailand Targets €81 Billion Tourism Revenue
Phuket will host RISE 2026 on September 3 at SAii Laguna Phuket to advance women's leadership in hospitality as Thailand targets €81B in tourism revenue.
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Phuket is preparing to host RISE 2026 on September 3, bringing hospitality executives together as Thailand targets €81 billion in total tourism revenue.
[PHUKET, Thailand] — Official event disclosures from the Phuket Hotels Association confirm that SAii Laguna Phuket will host "RISE 2026: Reshaping Hospitality by Empowering Women" on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Organized by C9 Hotelworks, Mrs B Group, and Delivering Asia, the half-day forum runs from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM following 1:00 PM registration. The initiative focuses on executive mentorship, operational authority, and leadership development across Thailand’s hotel sector during a period of national growth driven by 32.9 million international arrivals in 2025.
RISE 2026 Event Parameters: Program Schedule and Leadership Framework
RISE 2026 provides a platform for hotel owners, general managers, and emerging talent across Thailand’s travel industry.
The half-day schedule includes executive panel discussions, mentorship matchmaking, and operational workshops designed to address workforce barriers faced by female managers.
RISE 2026 Event Baseline:
├── Event Name: RISE 2026 (Reshaping Hospitality by Empowering Women)
├── Date & Venue: Thursday, September 3, 2026 | SAii Laguna Phuket, Thailand
├── Program Schedule: 1:00 PM Registration | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Main Forum
└── Organizers: C9 Hotelworks, Mrs B Group & Delivering Asia (Partner: Phuket Hotels Association)
| Event & Program Category | Confirmed Metric / Specification | Operational Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Event Name | RISE 2026 | Reshaping Hospitality by Empowering Women |
| Date & Schedule | Sept 3, 2026 (1:00 PM Reg / 2:00–5:00 PM) | Executive panel sessions & mentorship |
| Host Venue | SAii Laguna Phuket, Thailand | Luxury resort convention ballroom |
| Lead Organizers | C9 Hotelworks, Mrs B Group, Delivering Asia | Not-for-profit industry leadership initiative |
| Industry Partner | Phuket Hotels Association | Represents island-wide hotel properties |
| Global Workforce Baseline | 54% Women in Global Tourism (UN Tourism) | Address executive & ownership representation |
| Global Wellness Summit | Nov 10–13, 2026 (Phuket) | 600+ delegates from 30+ countries |
Macro Tourism Indicators: TAT Revenue Targets and Source Markets
The event aligns with Thailand’s national shift from volume-driven tourism to high-value, sustainable travel.
According to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) statistics, Thailand welcomed 32.9 million international visitors in 2025, generating €41.3 billion in international tourism revenue.
For 2026, TAT targets €81 billion in total tourism revenue, supported by key source markets such as India (2,487,319 arrivals; THB 93.86 billion spend) and the UK (over 1 million arrivals; THB 74.515 billion spend).
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Key Metrics:
├── 2025 Visitor Arrivals: 32.9+ Million international visitors
├── 2025 International Receipts: €41.3 Billion (Long-haul share: €18.5B / 45%)
├── 2026 National Revenue Target: €81.0 Billion total tourism revenue
├── India Market Performance (2025): 2,487,319 arrivals | THB 93.86 Billion revenue
└── UK Market Performance (2025): 1,000,000+ arrivals | THB 74.515+ Billion revenue
| Key Tourism Indicator | Official Government / TAT Figure | Market Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 International Arrivals | 32.9+ Million Visitors | Full recovery baseline for Thailand |
| 2025 International Revenue | €41.3 Billion | Total overseas visitor spend |
| Long-Haul Arrivals (2025) | 10.0+ Million Visitors | Long-haul market landmark |
| Long-Haul Tourism Receipts | €18.5 Billion | Represents 45% of total international spend |
| 2026 Revenue Target | €81.0 Billion | "Value over Volume" national strategy |
| Indian Visitor Arrivals (2025) | 2,487,319 Arrivals | THB 93.86 Billion spend |
| UK Visitor Arrivals (2025) | 1,000,000+ Arrivals | THB 74.515 Billion spend |
Workforce Dynamics: Bridging the Executive Leadership Gap
UN Tourism reports that women account for approximately 54% of the global tourism workforce.
However, women remain concentrated in operational service roles, while senior corporate management, asset ownership, and board-level positions remain less balanced.
RISE 2026 addresses structural hurdles in hotel career pathways, encouraging property owners to build mentorship channels across departments including revenue management, finance, food and beverage, and asset operations.
Tourism Workforce Structure:
├── Global Baseline: 54% female workforce representation across global tourism (UN Tourism)
└── Management Objective: Expand female representation in budget control & executive operations
Transport Infrastructure and Aviation Corridor Expansions
To support expanding visitor volumes, the Thai government is executing a multi-year transport development plan:
- 2025–2026 Transport Investment: 223 projects worth THB 136.49 billion in 2025, and 64 projects worth THB 116.96 billion in 2026.
- Phuket Infrastructure Projects: Includes Phase 2 of Phuket International Airport’s expansion, a new dedicated cruise terminal, and Phase 2 of the Phuket Expressway.
- Long-Haul Aviation Links: Winter 2025–2026 flight additions include Norse Atlantic Airways routes from Stockholm and Oslo, alongside direct Air France services from Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Phuket Transport Infrastructure Baseline:
├── Airport Capacity: Phase 2 expansion at Phuket International Airport
├── Maritime Infrastructure: Construction of new dedicated Phuket cruise terminal
├── Highway Network: Phase 2 development of the Phuket Expressway
└── Long-Haul Flight Links: Norse Atlantic (Stockholm/Oslo) & Air France (Paris CDG)
| Infrastructure Project | Operational Scope | Tourism & Transport Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket Airport Expansion (Ph 2) | Terminal & apron expansion | Increases international passenger capacity |
| Phuket Cruise Terminal | Deep-water berth construction | Accommodates large cruise ship dockings |
| Phuket Expressway (Ph 2) | Highway bypass corridor | Reduces island transport congestion |
| 2025 Transport Budget | 223 Projects (THB 136.49 Billion) | National transport upgrade program |
| 2026 Transport Budget | 64 Projects (THB 116.96 Billion) | Regional transit connectivity |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When and where will RISE 2026 take place in Phuket?
A: RISE 2026 will take place at SAii Laguna Phuket on Thursday, September 3, 2026, running from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Q2: What is Thailand’s total tourism revenue target for 2026?
A: The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set a total tourism revenue target of €81 billion for 2026.
Q3: Which major infrastructure projects are planned for Phuket in 2025–2026?
A: Key projects include Phase 2 of the Phuket International Airport expansion, a new cruise terminal, and Phase 2 of the Phuket Expressway.
Why This Matters for Hotel Executives, Female Professionals, and Tour Operators
Analyzing RISE 2026 highlights key industry developments:
- For Hotel Executives: Building structured mentorship pathways improves retention of experienced female managers across hotel departments.
- For Female Hospitality Professionals: Attending RISE 2026 provides direct access to executive networks and career advancement strategies.
- For Tour Operators: Diversified hotel leadership supports inclusive resort policies, improving safety and service delivery for international guests.
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