Saturday 9 March 2013

Dusit International Announces "Year of Expansion" at ITB Berlin 2013

Dusit Thani Bankok
Leading Asian hospitality group Dusit International officially announces 2013 as their "Year of Expansion" at this year's ITB Berlin, to be held in the German capital city from 6-10 March. The company has upwards of 7 properties scheduled to open over the next 12 months and a further 16 projects in the development pipeline.

Dusit International has already made waves with a number of announcements over the last two months, starting with the management agreement for dusitD2 nairobi. Located in an exclusive development complex flanked by high end residences, universities, government offices and embassies, dusitD2 nairobi promises to bring a burst of energy to the area with its attractive mix of all day dining outlets, meeting facilities, spa and terrace bar. It is the company's second location on the continent, but its first in sub-Saharan Africa.

The company quickly followed this news with the announcement of a joint venture agreement in China, which will see a minimum of 10 properties developed over the next five years. The joint venture agreement resulted in the creation of the Dusit Fudu Hotel Management Company, Ltd., a partnership between Dusit International and local partner, Changzhou Qiao Yu Group. Cities to be targeted for development by this agreement include Shanghai, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing and Hainan. By 2020, over 5,000 hotel rooms will come under the Dusit brand name.

Domestically, the company announced the signing of a dusitD2 hotel in Khao Yai, scheduled to open in Q4 2014. The 79-room hotel boasts an inspired winery/vineyard concept and features a hot spring spa and grill restaurant, amongst other facilities. It also benefits from being in close proximity to Khao Yai National Park,
recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

Also set to open this year is the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi in Q2 2013. Strategically located in the new business and government district, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi features a wealth of unique facilities that provide the discerning business traveller with the perfect destination. This opening, in addition to upcoming projects in Dubai, Doha and Jeddah, represent the company's intention to strengthen its presence in the Middle East region where it has been operating for over 11 years.

These announcements, and those that will follow later this year, are the product of Dusit International's senior management team led by Managing Director and CEO, Mr Chanin Donavanik. He has assembled an exceptionally talented and experienced team to drive the company's expansion plans, including Mr Giovanni Angelini, an icon of the hospitality industry. Formerly the CEO of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, he joined Dusit International as Vice Chairman and has been instrumental in orchestrating the joint venture agreement in China.

Mr David Shackleton, Dusit International's COO, joined the group in Q2 2012. He possesses over three decades of experience with some of hospitality's top brands, including Starwood Hotels and Resorts and the Intercontinental Hotel Group. Mr Rustom Vickers, Group Director of Development, is focused on sourcing new management joint venture and acquisition opportunities internationally. Together, the team is ushering in an exciting, new age at Dusit International, one which sees the brand reach far beyond Asia which has been its traditional home.

Dusit Thani Maldives
"This is an important year for the company's future," says Mr Donavanik. "Five years from now, Dusit will own and manage more than 50 hotels in popular destinations across three or four continents, and our brand recognition will grow and be stronger as well. I believe Thais are naturally very strong in the hospitality business, and our aim is to be able to export this by continuing to launch quality hotels under the Dusit brand."

No comments:

Post a Comment