Life On Mars - Creating A Phuket CSR Network

Posted: 22 Oct 2009 | 11:25 am

Unless you've been living on mars, or spent 10 years incommunicado in Patong, you'll be aware of Climate Change. This is the one silver lining to this gloomy global forecast, everyone is now much more aware of their potential impact on the planet. The business world is no exception to this, facing increasing pressure to reduce emissions and develop globally equal labour standards. This is correct of course; the world's largest corporations control more money and resources than many countries, business holds key influence in modern society and must be accountable.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR for simplicity) also extends to smaller companies, the SME's and family run operations. Well directed CSR can generate value to all businesses by creating long-term sustainability and an improving market in which to operate. Success and growth are easier to achieve in a stable, developing environment where both customers and investors feel confident.

Within the property market there are many factors which affect stability, the one being referred to in this case links back to the old adage of 'location, location, location'. You can control the development, upkeep and pricing of your product as much as you want, but if the overall location does not generate and maintain interest from customers, your hard work and effort can go to waste.

So, ultimately it is in all our interests to help maintain and develop this location to ensure the sustainability of business here.

Phuket CSR Network:

A CSR network of companies in the Phuket hotel and housing industry can be formed. The goal of which is to address areas of unified concern, after all they affect everyone: Garbage, road safety, water safety and so on…. let's address them in a unified fashion.

Business networks in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean (primarily from hotels) have already demonstrated the potential success of increasing local environmental and socio-economic conditions to the greater benefit of their bottom line. The Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) for example is now an advisor to the government and works as a strong regional representative, where members can generate more customers than businesses not involved in the alliance. More locally Korat, Nakon Ratchasima has recently formed a network for business CSR. A Phuket network could potentially yield benefits, especially if we align with programmes like the T.A.T. '7 greens' that can help to direct traffic towards environmentally conscious business.

There is of course a strong case for both individual and collective CSR actions. The proposed network is in no way intended to replace or alter the great work already being done by others on the island. Instead, it creates an opportunity for likeminded businesses to co-ordinate their efforts to generate an exponential impact.

Recent co-ordinated beach clean-ups and increased frequency of CSR workshops suggests the intent is there, let's pull this together and create a win-win situation for the island.

If you are interested please write back to the contact form for this website. We can then use this green blog to communicate electronically and develop suitable meetings in the future.

David Campion

Group Director for CSR Operations, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts

Laguna Phuket

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