Rollout for Dusit International brand as overseas markets open for Thai hotel operator

A press conference held on 29th October at the Business Travel Show provided a platform for the annoucement of future brand initiatives and expansion plans.

Conducting the press conference, Regional Vice President of the Middle East Mr Sam-Erik Ruttmann stated, 'Dusit International is commited to the Middle Eastern region and positioning ourselves appropriately as a reputable International brand. Expansion plans in the region are progressing rapidly, and we are devoted to continuing our niche in delivering the finest Thai hospitaity. With the re-energizing of the Dusit International brand, the iconic property in the Middle East, Dusit Dubai will now operate under the name Dusit Thani Dubai.'

Major expansion will follow, as the hotel brands under the Dusit International umbrella increase in number and geographical reach.

Octavio Gamarra, Senior Vice President of Dusit International, says the timing is right for positioning the company firmly in an international direction and taking on new challenges both at home and overseas.

'We have reached the tipping point where to present ourselves as a truly international name is not only desirable but logical,' he says. 'We had achieved prominence, prestige and respect amongst the Asian hospitality industry, but did not want to rest on our laurels. Instead, we wanted to face the very exciting challenges of moving further into the international arena.

'Our portfolio is currently filled with dynamic new ventures in India, the Middle East and Egypt, with new ventures in China and Australia following closely. Launching Dusit International as a brand positions us very distinctly in these new markets, and the others to follow.'

There have been several milestones achieved during 2007 that have paved the way for the launch of Dusit International.

Starting on January 1, the Asian Hotel Alliance (AHA) - of which Dusit is one of the founding members - joined the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), bringing Dusit, Landis Hotels & Resorts, Marco Polo Hotels and Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts into the grouping as new members and joining existing members Kempinski Hotels, Omni Hotels and Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts.

GHA continues to grow, with a portfolio of over 150 luxury hotels and resorts, spread over 39 countries. Each brand is a key player in their main region of operation: Kempinski in Europe, Omni in North America, Pan Pacific in the Pacific Rim, Leela in India, Dusit in Thailand, Landis in Taiwan and China and Marco Polo in China and Hong Kong.

In February, Dusit signed a contract with MICROS-Fidelio to implement the OPERA Central Systems Solution, making Dusit the first Thailand-based hotel management company to employ such an advanced Central System. It comprises OPERA Reservations System (ORS), OPERA Customer Information System (OCIS), OPERA Web System (OWS), and OPERA Sales Force Automation (SFA).

With all the features of this new technology deployed across all distribution channels by early to mid-2008, Dusit International will provide all of its hotels and customers instantaneous guest recognition at the point of customer contact, combined with a substantially enhanced distribution system that provides real time availability based on last room and best rate.

In terms of Dusit expanding its hotel portfolio, both within Thailand and internationally, some exciting announcements were made and a joint venture signed this year as well.

Dusit Princess Hotels & Resorts will manage its first resort property, the Dusit Princess Resort Koh Chang. Slated to soft open in November 2007, the resort is located on the beach at Ao Bai Lan and will have a total of 96 accommodation units. The second largest island of Thailand from Phuket, Koh Chang's major tourist attraction is Koh Chang National Marine Park, which occupies 80% of the island, teeming with fascinating wildlife and marine life.

Continuing the D2 brand mission to 'deliver a leading new business or leisure experience focusing on recognising and meeting the needs of the news generation of traveller' and the D2 character: 'delightful, dynamic, divine - a modernistic Thai concept with a blend of innovative design, the second dusitD2 hotels + resorts (dusitD2 chiang mai was the first, opened in 2005) is the dusitD2 baraquda pattaya. It is scheduled to open in October 2008 with a total of 72 rooms. Following very closely will be dusitD2 samui on Choengmon Beach, opening in August 2009, with 60 individual pool villas.

In March 2007, Dusit International entered into a joint venture agreement with Bird Hospitality Services (BHS), a subsidiary of the Bird Group, one of India's largest diversified companies in aviation, travel and information technology. Under this joint venture, BHS will develop six 4/5-star hotels and resorts, and provide Dusit with the opportunity to manage or franchise several hotels in India. These properties will be located in New Delhi, Goa, Rishikesh, Pune, Amritsar and Jaipur, opening in succession and completely by 2013.

Dusit International's Middle East Regional Office in Dubai (set up in mid-2005) has been very active. It now proudly announces the 146-unit Dusit Residence, Dubai Marina, set to open in January 2008; the Dusit Palm Jumeirah Island - comprising a Dusit Devarana hotel (116 rooms), a Dusit Thani hotel (292 rooms) and a Dusit Residence (180 apartment units) - that will open in 2010, and the Dusit Thani, Abu Dhabi - comprising a Dusit Thani hotel (593 rooms) and a Dusit Residence (408 apartment units) - to also open in 2010. Dusit International has also been managing the Dusit Thani, Dubai hotel since 2001.

Historically, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, the predecessor hotel group of what has now become Dusit International, goes back 60 years. The company's founder, Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, had a dream: 'I would like to build a hotel like the ones I admired in the USA, but one that would be specifically Thai,' she vowed to herself from the beginning.

The sheer challenge and ambitiousness of her vision and mission in life continue to inspire Dusit to this day and for always - to be bold and do great things, to create and invent, to consistently pursue perfection, but always to remain true to its Thai identity. This has been the cornerstone of the company's enduring campaign, 'Dusit, the Thai way of life.'

The future beckons, and Dusit International in effect marks another promising beginning.

Presently, Dusit International comprises under its banner Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Dusit Devarana Hotels & Resorts, dusitD2 hotels & resorts, Dusit Princess Hotels & Resorts, and Dusit Residence Serviced Apartments. Each hotel sub-brand serves the varying needs of the business and leisure travellers who pass through Dusit's doors, to experience Dusit's service excellence while maintaining the unique Thai hospitality, internationally.

Dusit Hotels and Resorts takes its inspiration from a mythical utopian town. We draw from the 'gifts of heaven' whether it is our flowers, our art or our people to create a perfect experience for our guests. Our guests are highly traveled, successful individuals who expect perfection delivered with style and taste.

Dusit Devarana Hotels and Resorts provides a private sanctuary of perfection. Astounding environments and exceptional private service create a sanctuary of perfection that cocoon our guests within the world we create for them. Our guests seek the perfect balance between having (success) and being (quality in their lives).

dusitD2 hotels and resorts is a new generation of Dusit hospitality, offering contemporary Thai interiors that amaze the senses, distinctive services and wonderful service surprises that create a sense of delight. Our guests are the new generation of business and leisure travelers. Young, successful, confident, they demand excellence and seek an experience that is fresh, international and connected.

Dusit Princess Hotels and Resorts helps our guests make the most of their journey. Our strong association in each locale means we can provide more insight, knowledge and access to get the best out of the locaiton. Our relaxed friendly service and well appointed facilities offer a wonderful welcome at the end of the day. It is why we have such a high rate of loyal and satisfied guests. Our guests are travelers who when on leisure immerse themselves in the discovery of the location and when on business want the hotel to be their friendly sanctuary from the demands and stresses of being away from home.

Dusit Residence Serviced Apartments combines the advantage of an exclusive residence with the 5-star service levels of Dusit International. Impeccably designed apartments, club level facilities within a secure enclave provide a seamless transition for international lifestyles. Our guests seek a quality long stay base for their business or leisure requirements.

With these hotel sub-brands, Dusit International's current 5-year plan encompasses dramatic, vigorous and vital entry into major new markets on a global scale.