Conference Report

The 2025 Global ESG Conference was held in Phuket, Thailand, on May 24^th, 2025, co-hosted by the Consortium of Global Sustainability (CGS) and Prince of Songkla University (PSU).

A pre-conference Seminar was held at the PSU Theater, PSU, Phuket campus on May 23^rd, under the topic of "Innovative Data Analytics," three esteemed researchers, including Dr. Minwoo Lee (University of Houston), Dr. Seoki Lee (Pennsylvania State University), and Dr. Catherine Cheung (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), delivered sessions regarding business analytics, economics, and consumer behavior research and data analytics.

The Main conference on the 24^th started with an opening ceremony and keynote speeches. An opening remarks made by Dr. Niwat Keawpradub (President, Prince of Songkla University) was followed by a Congratulatory Message by Dr. Kaye Chon (Dean and Chair Professor and Walter & Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) and Welcome Messages by Conference Co-Chair Dr. Ki-Joon Back (Founder of Consortium for Global Sustainability, Senior Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies, Moores Chair Professor, Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, University of Houston) and Dr. Pornpisanu Promsivapallop (Dean, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University).

The first session of the conference was a distinguished panel discussion titled "ESG in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry – Challenges and Innovations." The moderator of the session, Dr. Chayanon Phucharoen (Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University), Mr. Bhummikitti Ruktaengam (President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation), Dr. Jaewook Kim (Associate Professor, Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, University of Houston), and Mr. Daryn Hudson (General Manager of the Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort) shared practical applications and critical challenges that industry and academia are facing when dealing with ESG in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. Making balance, promoting social sustainability, creating and sharing value, and implementing pragmatic solutions through ESG initiatives that enable firms to establish a reputable market presence were thoroughly discussed.

After the first panel session, the 1^st round of the ESG Global Student Challenge was held. A total of 7 undergraduate student teams performed their presentations for the Collegiate ESG Idea Challenge, and a total of 9 graduate student teams competed for the ESG Research Proposal Challenge. Three teams from each competition advanced to the final rounds. The Gold Award in the undergraduate ESG Idea Challenge went to Shim Hyunkyu, Lim Junhwi, and Seong-Bin Cho from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (title: Smart Meters, Smart Savings: Boosting Energy Efficiency in Hotels). Gina Grenyo from the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, University of Houston (title: The Real Cost of Linens: Save the Environment Serve Your Community) won the Silver Award, and Kantaya Binabdullah, Yanisa Amaod, Kritsanawat Mookpun, and Chaiwat Chouylai from the Prince of Songkla University (title: Smart Traffic and Weather Condition Monitoring System for Tourism Hotspot) won the Bronze Award. In the ESG Research Proposal Challenge, Sungyeon Ryoo, Yun-Na Park, Minjung Shin, and Ki-Joon Back from the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, University of Houston won the Gold Award with the proposal titled "Narrative Transportation: A Key to Enhancing ESG Engagement." Simon Hahn (Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, University of Houston), who presented the paper "ESG and Financial Risk Management to Hospitality Firms: Investor Perspective" won the Silver Award and Jaegyung Shin, Heekyeong Ha, Hyunseo Roh, Pornpisanu Promsivapallop, and Heesup Han (title: Blueprint of Sustainable Restaurant: Exploring the Attributes of Self-Sufficient Restaurant and Value-Attitude-Behavior Model) won the Bronze Award.

A total of 28 research presentations were delivered during six concurrent sessions covering (1) ESG Scale Development & Internal Marketing for ESG, (2) Financial Performance, Corporate Strategy, and ESG Capabilities, (3) ESG Reporting, Communication, and Consumer Perceptions, (4) Environmental Issues and ESG, (5) Technology Advancement and ESG, and (6) Accessible Tourism, Wellbeing, and Destination Marketing. Dr. Chihyung (Michael) Ok, Dr. Kwangsoo Park, and Dr. Jaewook Kim served as the best paper selection committee. The Best Paper Awards went to (1) "Corporate and National Governance: Exploring Their Distinct Roles in Firms' Environmental and Social Practices presented by Da Hyun Hwang and Seoki Lee (Pennsylvania State University) and (2) "ESG in Tourism Development: Unveiling Thailand's Local Economic Landscapes from Geospatial Data" presented by Chayanon Phucharoen, Nichapat Sangkaew, and Aziz Nanthaamornphong (Prince of Songkla University).

Distinguished Panel Discussion 2: Research and ESG – Advancing Knowledge for Sustainable Tourism was held with the moderator Dr. Tatiyaporn Jarumaneerat (Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University) and three distinguished panelists Dr. Choong-Ki Lee (Kohwang Emeritus Professor, College of Hotel And Tourism, Kyung Hee University), Dr. Bruce Prideaux (Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University), and Dr. Deniz Kucukusta (Assistant Dean, School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University). Panelists highlighted industry-specific context, differences, and implications of ESG research topics for future research projects. In addition, panelists suggested the roles of educators in sustainable research, industry collaboration, and multidisciplinary research projects that ultimately benefit the comprehensiveness of ESG research in the hospitality and tourism industry.

During the Award ceremony and Closing Ceremony, Dr. Ki-joon Back appreciated all the support and contributions made by volunteers, faculty, and Prince of Songkla University students for the successful conference. In addition, his concluding remarks highlighted the primary purpose of the conference, "network and collaboration," in the area of ESG for global sustainable development. Lastly, Dr. Back expressed utmost gratitude to Prince of Songkla University and all student attendees, members of the Consortium of Global Sustainability (CGS), and all sponsors of the conference.

A post-conference educational field trip was held on the 25th at Ban Bang Rong Community, Thalang District, Phuket, Thailand, for conference attendees to learn and experience sustainable community-based educational tourism.

Conference Guide

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