Phuket eyes international award for festivals, events
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has assigned a task force to prepare Phuket’s application for the 2024 IFEA World Festival & Event City Award in the 2024 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition.
The idea for Phuket to enter the international awards contest was put forward by Pattanachai Singhawara, Director of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) Southern Region Office, at a meeting at Provincial Hall last Friday (Feb 9).
“The IFEA World Festival & Event City Award was designed and created as a way for the global festivals and events industry to openly encourage, support, learn from and recognise positive local environments for festivals and events worldwide,” explains IFEA on its official website.
“Festivals and events create tremendous community and economic capital in the markets that they serve, but the partnership with and support from the local community, at all levels, is critical to the success and sustainability of existing festivals and events, as well as the ability to attract and encourage new events.
“Through this special award the IFEA is pleased to recognize and fly the flag of those cities and markets who have worked, through concerted efforts, to provide an environment conducive to successful festivals and events,” IFEA notes.
The ‘Pinnacle Awards’ have 62 categories, differentiated by type and form of festivals hosted, and budget amounts dedicated for hosting events.
Governor Sophon assigned a ‘working group’ to prepare the necessary documents for Phuket’s entry in the competition, said an official report of the meeting.
The task force comprises officials from a wide range of local government agencies, the report added. Among those to take lead roles in drafting the entry application is the TCEB, along with Assoc Prof Dr Kulda Phetwarun, Head of Tourism Management of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism at the Prince of
Songkla University, Phuket Campus.
Phuket hosts many ‘festival events’ throughout the year that highlight Phuket’s cultural identity and its prowess for hosting other major events,, including the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Phuket Lobster Festival, Seafood Festival, Lantern Festival, Chinese New Year and the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, among others, noted the official report
“The working group will select the top 10 most outstanding and important festivals to be used in the presentation of Phuket Province,” the report explained.
“If Phuket Province wins the award, it will have a positive impact on the tourism of Phuket Province and Thailand, both in terms of stimulating the economy and public image, with our cultural tourism to become more and more widely known,” Governor Sophon said.
The working group must submit its initial application by April 30. The deadline for the submission of full applications is July 17, and the winners are to be announced on Aug 14.