Dana Atiyat, Development Manager at Dusit International.
At TOPHOTELWORLDTOUR Dubai, Dana Atiyat, Development Manager at Dusit International Middle East, shared with us how a small company can be both different and successful.
Being different and having a unique characteristic is what sells nowadays. Dusit International, the distinctive Thai hospitality chain, focuses on delivering a unique guest experience by enhancing value in all possible ways and broadening the offer to multiple types of customers.
Dana Atiyat, Development Manager at Dusit International Middle East, gave us a brief insight into Dusit International’s growing journey and the philosophy that supports successful expansion.
From Bangkok to the world
Dana: Dusit International has over 70 years of experience within the hotel and hospitality field. It was founded in 1949 by Honorary Chairperson Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui.
Starting with our first hotel in Bangkok, Dusit has created a unique portfolio of distinctive hotels, building upon Thai culture and tradition and delivering personalised service for all our guests under the Dusit International brand promise.
We did not only grow in terms of hotels, but also in terms of education. We already have 26 years of experience in hospitality education and run 6 universities which cater to over 12,000 students. We will open our first integrated hotel-hospitality school in the Philippines within the dusitD2 Fort Manilla later this year.
As a company, we are constantly seeking ways to enhance revenue creation so we can maintain and enhance our property portfolio whilst delivering value to our shareholders – particularly whilst our flagship hotel, Dusit Thani Bangkok, is redeveloped as part of Dusit Central Park, a landmark mixed-use project comprising residences, an office building, retail areas, and a new Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel. The new hotel is expected to open in 2023.
Dusit goes global
Dana: The Dusit International 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.
While we are best known for our full-service hotels and resorts, we have made moves to expand our services across the lodging spectrum to offer broader experiences for our guests and customers and to further meet the needs of luxury and millennial travellers, enabling us to reach new and wider markets.
We recently entered the high-end vacation rental market through the full acquisition of Elite Havens, the leading provider of high-end vacation rentals in Asia, with more than 200 fully staffed luxury villas across 5 countries.
In early 2020, our offerings will expand even further with the opening of our first ASAI Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, in the heart of the city’s famous Chinatown district. ASAI Hotels is our new lifestyle brand designed to link millennial-minded travellers with authentic local experiences, in vibrant destinations worldwide. We already have 6 additional properties in the pipeline across Thailand, Myanmar and the Philippines.
Staying small and different to attract guests
Dana: Being a smaller hotel management company works to our advantage because it allows for greater fluidity and adaptability to ever changing market demands, and a more personalised service for stakeholders across all aspects of our operations, whilst focusing on enhancing and strengthening our distinctive brand positioning – including the unique delivery of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality. By offering distinctive experiences across the lodging spectrum, we can cater to the needs of a wide range of travellers, from lifestyle through to luxury.
Our distinctive service is further enhanced by our signature Thai-inspired offerings, such as our luxury spa concept, Devarana, and restaurant concepts – Benjarong and Soi. The former offers a contemporary spin on traditional Thai classics, whilst the latter puts a gourmet spin on Thai market-style favourites.
As a global hospitality company with multiple brands, our market sources vary by country and region. No matter what the hotel brand, each of our properties is carefully designed to meet the requirements of our clientele, with a wide range of accommodation packages to suit their particular needs. These are marketed and promoted via our network of global sales offices in key source markets worldwide.
Thoughts on TOPHOTELWORLDTOUR
Dana: It was very smart and well organized, in particular the switching of tables and delegates throughout the 8 sessions, offering maximum exposure and excellent networking opportunities
Dana Atiyat was a delegate at TOPHOTELWORLDTOUR Dubai 2019. To attend, address or sponsor our boutique hospitality networking events around the world, contact TOPHOTELPROJECTS Head of Global Events & Conferences Kayley van der Velde.
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