Phuket Launches 'Phuket Lobster Festival 2026' to Boost GI-Certified Prawns and Creative Economy

Phuket Province in Southern Thailand has announced the upcoming 'Phuket Lobster Festival 2026'. The event aims to enhance the brand value of the local specialty, 'Phuket Lobster', and revitalize the regional economy. By prominently featuring Phuket Lobster, which has obtained Geographical Indication (GI) certification, the festival is expected to contribute to the promotion of the creative economy. Organizers anticipate an economic impact of approximately 200 million baht (equivalent to about 800 million yen) during August, the period when the festival will be held. This projection considers the attraction of tourists, the revitalization of local restaurants, and ripple effects on related industries. Phuket Lobster has earned GI certification in recognition of its quality and regional specificity. This certification is granted to products originating from a particular region whose quality is guaranteed by the local climate and traditional production methods. The festival aims to leverage this GI certification to increase the recognition of Phuket Lobster as a brand and improve its added value. Phuket Province has been focusing on promoting the 'creative economy,' which seeks to achieve sustainable tourism and regional economic development. The Phuket Lobster Festival is positioned as part of this initiative, aiming to create new tourism content centered around food culture. Through this, the province seeks to move beyond its image as merely a resort destination and enrich the region with its cultural and culinary attractions.