NEPAL: Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort & Spa

A resort is being constructed in one of the major tourist destinations of Nepal, Dhulikhel with international level facilities.

Thailand-based, global hospitality company Dusit International has signed a management agreement with Omstone Asia Capital Nepal Pvt. Ltd. to operate Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort & Spa, the first Dusit-branded property in Nepal.

This hotel is going to be established by targeting the tourism year 2020.

Located in the heart of Nepal’s central region, just over an hour’s drive from Kathmandu and Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), the luxurious mountaintop resort will comprise 44 well-appointed guest rooms and 20 exclusive villas, each providing magnificent views of the majestic Himalayan range.

Mr Ramesh K. Hamal, Managing Director of Omstone Asia Capital Nepal Pvt. Ltd., said Guests seeking a tranquil escape from the hustle of everyday life will find the perfect retreat at Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort & Spa.

Incredible views, luxurious rooms and facilities, and Dusit’s legendary hospitality will provide a distinctive experience for our guests, and we are delighted to partner with Dusit International for this very special project.

With 29 properties currently in operation across four brands in eight countries, Dusit International is in a significant growth phase which will see the number of Dusit properties reach 70 within the next three to four years across key markets worldwide.

Alongside Dusit Thani, other brands in Dusit International’s portfolio include.

Leveraging the natural beauty of its surroundings, with pristine air and good weather year round, the new property will have a wellness spa concept created by Dusit’s signature Devarana Spa, which provides luxurious, personalized treatments designed to promote emotional and physical well-being.

Other facilities will include an all-day-dining restaurant, a bar and lobby lounge, meeting facilities and a swimming pool.

Tourism Observer

NEPAL: Dusit Princess Hotel Kathmandu To Open 2020

Operating under Dusit’s upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand, the new hotel will comprise 108 well-appointed guest rooms in a prime location in the capital’s vibrant Lazimpat neighbourhood.

The area is home to various international institutions and is just a short walk from the bustling eateries and shops of Thamel.

Dusit International a hotel and property development companies, has signed an agreement with Hotel Lhasa International Pvt. Ltd. to develop and operate Dusit Princess Kathmandu, Nepal the second Dusit-branded hotel set to open in Nepal in 2020.

Operating under Dusit’s upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand, the new hotel will comprise 108 well-appointed guest rooms in a prime location in the capital’s vibrant Lazimpat neighbourhood.

The area is home to various international institutions and is just a short walk from the bustling eateries and shops of Thamel.

Tribhuvan International Airport and major cultural attractions such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath Stupa can be reached in 20 minutes by car.

Designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers alike, hotel facilities will include an outdoor swimming pool and pool bar, a rooftop lounge-bar, a fully equipped fitness centre, a spa, and meeting facilities.

An all-day dining restaurant will serve daily buffet breakfast plus a variety of international and local cuisines.

In keeping with the Dusit Princess brand, each room will feature high-quality beds, a cosy bathroom, modern amenities, and a contemporary design reflecting local style and culture to provide high levels of comfort and convenience.

We are delighted to partner with Hotel Lhasa International Pvt. Ltd. to bring our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to Kathmandu for the first time, said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International.

Surrounded by popular cultural attractions, centuries-old religious sites, several embassies and major businesses, Dusit Princess Kathmandu is perfectly positioned to link guests with everything this fascinating city has to offer.

We now look forward to delivering a hotel experience that delights on all fronts while providing sustainable value to all our stakeholders.

Mr Dorje Gyaltsen Lama, Managing Director, Hotel Lhasa International Pvt. Ltd., said, Nepal welcomed more than 1.1 million tourists in 2018 – up 25% YOY – and the country’s tourism industry just keeps going from strength to strength.

To capture this fast-growing market, we were determined to find a distinctive partner with international experience, a track record for excellence, and a commitment to having a positive local impact.

We are delighted Dusit is that partner, and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship together.

Dusit International’s property portfolio now comprises 271 properties - nine owned and 262 managed operating under six brands across 13 countries.

The company has more than 50-Dusit branded hotels in the pipeline and expects to open at least 10-12 hotels per year in key destinations from 2020 onwards.

Dusit Princess Kathmandu, Nepal is the second property Dusit International has signed to operate in Nepal.

Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort & Spa, a luxury mountaintop resort in Nepal’s central region, is slated to open in Q1 2021 under a hotel management agreement.

Tourism Observer

THAILAND: Benjamin Perera Appointed Hotel Manager At Dusit Princess Srinakarin Bangkok

Benjamin Perera
Dusit International has appointed Mr. Benjamin Perera as Hotel Manager of Dusit Princess Srinakarin Bangkok.

Mr Perera joined Dusit in March 2014 as Executive Assistant Manager – Food and Beverage of Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket.

He was promoted to Resident Manager of the hotel in October 2014, and he took on the same role at the flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok in July last year.

Prior to joining Dusit, Mr Perera spent more than 20 years working in various roles for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Moscow, Russia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Singapore; and Hua Hin, Thailand.

Prior to becoming Hotel Manager of Dusit Princess Srinakarin, Bangkok, he acted as Interim Hotel Manager of the hotel from 1 January 2018 to 31 May 2018.

I am delighted and honored to be promoted to lead this popular hotel in the heart of Bangkok’s Bang Na district, said Mr Perera.

Already a popular option for business travellers, the property offers comfort, convenience and value in one impressive package, and I look forward to working with my team to continue to delight our visitors with Dusit’s unique brand of gracious hospitality.

Dusit Princess Srinakarin is ideally located in Bangkok’s Bang Na district, adjacent to two of the city’s largest shopping malls and near the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

This immaculate 4-star hotel Dusit Princess Srinakarin spacious and well-equipped guest rooms and suites offer respite from the rigours of travel while a range of facilities, including a swimming pool, sauna, steam and health club, enable guests to recharge and rejuvenate.

An excellent selection of restaurants and lounges make Dusit Princess Srinakarin the venue of choice for anything from a business meal to an elegant night out or a simple snack on the go.

The 198 guest rooms and suites at Dusit Princess Srinakarin are designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers with a range of convenient amenities and services.

Check-in time is 14:00 and check-out time is 12:00.

A wonderful resplendent array of dining options are available to satisfy your discerning taste buds at Dusit Princess Srinakarin Bangkok.

Choose from an assortment of beverages at the Lobby Lounge before a sumptuous Cantonese cuisine at The Chinese restaurant or indulge in unlimited serving of the international buffet treats at Square One.

At The Chinese Restaurant, experience authentic Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine with a contemporary twist in a cosy, modern space.

The menu is highlighted by handmade Dim Sum, signature Peking duck and Hong Kong-style noodles.

The genial atmosphere is perfect for a casual meal or for a business meeting in one of the restaurant’s four private dining rooms.

Gourmet by Dusit Princess serves freshly baked bread, cakes, biscuits and pastries along with a selection of sandwiches, all made in the on-site kitchen.

Grab a treat to go, sit down and relax over a morning coffee or simply enjoy some afternoon tea.

Open Daily: 08:00 to 21:00

For business and leisure travellers looking to unplug and unwind after a long day, Dusit Princess Srinakarin provides an excellent selection of recreational facilities, including a fully equipped health club, swimming pool, sauna and steam bath.

When utter relaxation is needed, guests can enjoy traditional Thai massage services.

Given the large number of businesses in surrounding Bang Na district, the presence of the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) and the ease of access to the surrounding industrial zones, Dusit Princess Srinakarin, with its’ ten well-equipped function rooms is the ideal location for events and meetings in Bangkok.


Tourism Observer

SAUDI ARABIA: Dusit International Into Joint Venture Hotel Management Agreement With Dyar Hotels And Resorts

DUSIT ENTERS THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
After more than a decade operating hotels in the Middle East, leading Asian hospitality group Dusit International further solidifies its presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by entering into a joint venture hotel management agreement with a local partner in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dusit International and regional hoteliers Dyar Hotels and Resorts recently held a signing ceremony to formally establish a joint venture hospitality management company.

Dyar has over 30 years of experience owning and operating hotels throughout the GCC and their local knowledge and expertise, coupled with Dusit’s international experience accumulated over 65 years, will offer truly distinctive products managed in a Shariah compliant manner to the growing Middle Eastern hospitality market.

The new company is already off to a solid start, with three projects confirmed in the pipeline.

One will be located in Jeddah under the Dusit Thani label, the company’s original hotel brand most well known for providing gracious hospitality to guests worldwide.

The other two projects, to be located in both Jeddah and Doha, will come under the company’s chic and contemporary “next generation” dusitD2 brand, whose newest hotel recently celebrated its Grand Opening in Nairobi, Kenya.

A further five properties are currently under negotiation in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah, which together form the largest tourism market within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In 2014 alone, the Holy Cities collectively welcomed 18 million visitors and this number is expected to surge to 23 million by 2020.

This exceptional market is amply catered for by Dyar’s sister company Nebras for Tourism Development, an established, tourism company providing an integrated services for visitors and pilgrims, affiliated with over 60 agents from the Far East, Africa, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

It is also one of only 48 companies authorised by the Ministry of Hajj to issue Religious Tourism visas.

Outbound tourism from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also significant. Nearly 30% of yearly arrivals to Dubai, where Dusit has been operating for over 14 years, hail from Saudi Arabia—over 1.5 million travellers.

With major infrastructure projects currently underway, such as the expansion of Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport to accommodate 80 million guests by 2035, the Haramain High Speed Railway linking Jeddah to Makkah, and over 30,000 hotel rooms set to come to market over the coming years, the Saudi Arabian hospitality and tourism market is simply booming.

“We have been looking for a way to work within the Kingdom for some time,” remarked Mr. Chanin Donavanik, Managing Director and CEO of Dusit International.

“We are proud to partner now with Dyar Hotels and Resorts—their local expertise and decades of experience will be invaluable to the success of Dusit within Saudi Arabia, and we are confident the alliance of an international hotel chain with the knowledge, relationships and distribution channels of a regional operator will provide Owners with a compelling proposition.”

“Being family businesses, Dusit and Dyar share a similar owner-operator mindset, as well as one vision, now we are united under the joint venture,” said Khalid Al-Hattami CEO, Dyar Hotels and Resorts.

“This will ensure the companies deliver excellent products to the market, combining the very best of Asian and Middle Eastern hospitality traditions to create something new, unique and unmatched here within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

THAILAND: Thai Hospitality Companies Invade Africa

AFRICA is proving to be the next frontier for Thai hospitality groups buying, building or acquiring properties on the continent.

In the latest announcement, Minor Hotel Group (MHG) said yesterday it has acquired the Cheli & Peacock Group of Companies and its six camps in Kenya –Elsa’s Kopje, Elephant Pepper Camp, Joy’s Camp, Tortillis Camp, Kitich Camp and Lewa Safari Camp.

To come under MHG’s Elewana Collection, which already consists of eight other properties showcasing the highlights of Northern Tanzania, Kenya and Zanzibar, the Cheli & Peacock camps will nevertheless continue to operate independently under the guidance of founders Stefano and Liz Cheli.

Earlier this month MHG also said it is partnering Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company for two Anantara resorts in North Africa – the 93-key Anantara Tozeur Resort in south-west Tunisia and the 230-key Anantara Al Houara Tangier Resort in northern Morocco. Both are scheduled to open in 2017.

MHG is also going to add a fourth brand to the continent when it rebrands Essque Zalu Zanzibar to Per Aquum later this year. In total, MHG has 25 properties in seven countries in Africa across the Anantara, Avani and the Elewana Collection brands, and owns the Radisson Blu Hotel, Maputo, in Mozambique.

At the same time, fellow Thailand-based hospitality group Dusit International also celebrated the grand opening of dusitD2 Nairobi late last month.

The first Dusit property in sub-Saharan Africa, the dusitD2 Nairobi is the company’s second venture into Africa after the Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo in Egypt in 2009.

Chanin Donavanik, managing director and CEO of Dusit International, said in a press release that the launch is “only the first of many projects for Dusit in sub-Saharan Africa” as the group looks to solidify its presence in Africa.

Dusit Eco-friendly Amenity For Guests

Dusit International has teamed up with PressReader to offer unlimited access to over 5,000 leading publications and magazines worldwide to its valued guests.

PressReader HotSpot is an impressive, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly service available to guests staying in participating hotels and resorts where they can download the PressReader application on any digital device such as smartphone, tablet, eReader or access content using a laptop via web browser.

With the application, guests can download and enjoy full content, with real replica newspapers and magazines available. The extensive variety of local and international titles includes USA Today, Daily Mail, Shanghai Daily, The Nation, Post Today and magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Men’s Health, Bazaar, Business Traveller, Elle and Forbes Daily, amongst many more.

Mr. Silvano Trombetta, Corporate Director of Rooms Division, Dusit International, said that as a leading Asian hotel group, Dusit International is committed to providing exceptional experiences for guests while playing an active part in conserving the environment.

“Dusit International continues to seek out the latest technologies that will improve our guest’s experience. This new service fits right in to our year round initiatives to offer more green and eco-friendly products and services whilst delivering great experiences to our guests.”

The first batch of participating hotels and resorts include: Dusit Thani Bangkok, Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Dusit Thani Pattaya, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, DusitPrincess Srinakarin, DusitPrincess Korat, DusitPrincess Chiang Mai, dusitD2 Chiang Mai, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Dusit Thani Dubai, Dusit Thani Maldives, Dusit Thani Manila, Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo, Dusit Thani Guam Resort and dusitD2 Nairobi with more to come on line in the months ahead.