PHUKET, THAILAND: Resort destinations in Southeast Asia will move beyond sustainability and embrace a more meaningful and responsible way of operating in the post-pandemic era, a major event on the future of travel, tourism and hospitality in the region has learned.PHIST returned on Thursday 28th October 2021 for a fourth consecutive year of shaking up the status quo and advancing the environmental agenda in Asia, with a fast-paced full-day virtual event. Over 1,000 online delegates were treated to a series of insightful and inspiring interactive sessions, including keynote addresses from industry leaders and sustainability experts. At the top of the bill was Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings and Laguna Resorts & Hotels, who spoke about the need to “embrace” the environment, rather than simply preserve it.“It’s not just about protecting endangered species or preventing deforestation; it’s about showing people how beautiful the environment is around them. Because if you embrace the environment, then you protect the environment, you beautify the environment, you appreciate and understand the environment,” KP Ho told PHIST.Discussing the future of travel and hospitality in the post-pandemic era, KP Ho said that alongside the obvious changes, such as strict cleanliness protocols and contactless solutions, the industry would start to move towards a more meaningful existence with a stronger human element.“I’m actually very positive about tourism post-COVID, because I think it’s going to morph. During the global pandemic when people couldn’t travel, we began to realise that we’re actually very social animals. We need the human touch, we need friends to visit, we need to go out with our loved one. So I think that in future we’re going to see a lot more meaningful, purposeful and experiential travel, and that to me is very encouraging,” he added.