dusit partners major network

The Nation

Dusit International has affiliated itself with an international sales network for the first time to approach new targets and boost existing markets.

"The partnership with Preferred Hotel will help us become a true global player in the hospitality industry and extend our network even further throughout the world, and at the same time provide Preferred Hotel Group's clientele with a choice of destinations," CEO Chanin Donavanik said yesterday.

Dusit gains access to Preferred Hotel Group's sales network, global marketing programmes and distribution systems while offering a larger portfolio of properties in Asia and the Middle East, where its has been building a presence.

The move is part of Dusit's global expansion plan targeting over 50 hotels and resorts across Asia, Middle East and Europe by 2012. It has already signed 16 management contracts overseas.

"With these aggressive expansion plans, it is Dusit's top priority to achieve higher returns by utilising technology and strategic alliances," Chanin said.

Dusit's properties will still be allowed to maintain their brand identity while benefiting from Preferred Hotel Group's 28 worldwide sales offices, added to the five Dusit regional sales offices in the UK, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

Dusit also gains benefits that Preferred Hotel Group has negotiated on behalf of its more than 700 member hotels and resorts.

The benefits include corporate account management with some of the world's largest multinational organisations, key travel management companies, MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) planners, marketing programmes, and airline and distribution networks.

Mark Simmons, Asia-Pacific managing director at Preferred Hotel Group, said the group was now marketing its services to hotel chains with a different set of needs than existing member hotels due to the change of outlook in hotels during the economic crisis.

Dusit has been around for more than 60 years and it is expanding globally, so it needs to reach out to new market segments, he said.

Preferred Hotel Group is negotiating with individual hotels in Thailand for hotel solutions. It is now working with five hotels here.