Dusit PulseMay 2018 News and updates from Corporate HQ

W RLD ONE DUSIT Our global expansion continues apace

PLUS Dusit plans to enter food business Building the leaders of the future Dusit flies high with THAI DusitInsider Pulse 1 Warm greetings and welcome Warm greetings to Dusit Pulse – the brand new from name of our quarterly newsletter designed to keep you up to date Dusit International with all of Dusit’s most important news. Much has happened since our first newsletter earlier this year. From our strategic investment in the food industry (page 3) to the launch a new hotel brand (page 12), we have made excellent progress in line with our strategy for sustainable and profitable growth – and the Dusit family is growing.

Alongside continuing to sign new projects in key and emerging markets worldwide, this year we will open our first in , and , as well as expand our presence in and . We cele- brate this fact with a showcase of some of the upcoming properties on pages 6 – 9.

To enhance our capacity to deliver impressive results at each of our hotels and resorts, we have rolled out a new program designed to identify talented individuals and equip them with the skills they need to inspire, mo- tivate and lead successful teams – thereby maintaining high levels of guest satisfaction and building customer loyalty (see page 10).

We have also continued to secure top talent to enhance our operations at a corporate level. This includes welcoming Khun Marc Hediger, a seasoned hotel development leader with more than 30 years of managerial and operational experience, as our new Senior Vice President of Devel- opment. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure to meet him yet, flip to page 5 where you’ll find a handy introduction.

Working as a global team, every strategic decision we make is always designed to create long-lasting value for all of our partners.

From arranging roadshows in India, one of the world’s fastest growing markets (page 11), to hosting our annual GM and sales and marketing workshops (page 14), to creating new digital channels to promote our global destinations (page 4), we remain committed to pursuing continuous market growth for each and every one of our hotels and resorts.

We are delighted, and honored, to have you with us on this journey.

Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International

2 Dusit Pulse NEWS

Dusit plans to expand into food business with strategic investment in NR Instant Produce Development is in line with company’s strategy to diversify its lines of business and generate revenue from adjacent industries

usit recently invested approximately “With our expertise and experience in F&B, there is 660 million baht for an approximate huge growth potential for our company in the food 26% share in NR Instant Produce Co., business,” said Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO. Ltd., (NRIP), a well-known producer and “With time, we hope to create a partnership with NRIP exporter of ready to cook, ready meals, to develop a line of Dusit-branded, premium products Dseasoning powders, dipping sauces, drinks and juices. for local and international consumer markets.”

To invest in NRIP, whose signature brands include Por Ms Suphajee added that the investment in NRIP would Kwan, Lee, Thai Delight, DEDE, and Shanggie, Dusit strengthen Dusit’s investment portfolio, and is in line has established Dusit Foods Co., Ltd., a new subsidiary with the company’s long-term operating plan which designed to leverage Dusit’s rich experience in food and comprises five approaches: 1. Efficiently manage ex- beverage service. The investment approval process was isting assets and provide appropriate returns; 2. Expand completed at the end of March. its hotel business in and overseas; 3. Diversify its lines of business to mitigate risk; 4. Expand its cus- The investment forms part of Dusit’s three-pronged tomer base and enhance brand image worldwide; and, strategy for sustainable and profitable growth, which 5. Strengthen its management and operation teams to includes balance, expansion, and diversification. Invest- expedite business expansion. ment in NRIP is considered Dusit’s first investment in an entirely non-hotel related business.

DusitInsider Pulse 3 Promoting the best of each destination online Stunning photography, destination tips, and user-submitted videos are just three of the highlights of the new Dusit Journey

ou may have noticed a change in this year’s official Dusit Calendar. Gone are the demure Yand attractive ladies in traditional Thai dress; in are the stunning locations where Dusit has – and will soon have – a presence.

Designed to go beyond the limitations of a traditional calendar and promote and celebrate Dusit’s ever-growing global reach, the calendar includes striking photography of Central Thailand, , Philippines, Middle East, Northern Thailand, Vietnam, , USA, China, Thailand Beaches, and Bhutan.

Scan the QR codes on each location using a smartphone or tablet (within Facebook, Line or any other QR scanner app), and you will be redirected to a new online platform featuring Dusit’s own captivating clips and user-sub- mitted videos, as well as a wealth of information about local attractions.

The Dusit Journey website is just one of the ways Dusit is embracing technology to add value above and beyond a traditional stay by linking guests to truly local experiences.

By subtly educating the market about Dusit’s international growth, Dusit Journey is also designed to drive demand for Dusit’s various destinations.

Two English versions of the calendar are printed – one for Thailand, the other for international distribution (featuring corresponding public holidays). There is also a separate calendar produced for China.

The Dusit Journey website is available in English and Chinese. Soon, direct links to its content will be available in the Dusit app.

Here is a teaser video highlighting some of the user submitted content featured throughout the website.

(If you’re reading the print version, you can see the video at dusitjourney.com).

4 Dusit Pulse NEWS

In Dusit’s pursuit of hospitality excellence, the company remains committed to securing and developing top talent at its corporate office as Introducing well as its hotels and resorts worldwide. With that in mind, we are delighted to introduce the latest newcomer to Dusit’s executive team, Dusit’s new Marc Hediger. Khun Marc is a seasoned hotel development leader with more than 30 years of managerial Senior Vice and operational experience. During his career he has worked as general manager for several hotels worldwide, and he spent eight President of years as Senior Vice President and Director of Development Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Hong Kong. During his time at the company, Development: Shangri-La increased its management contracts from two to 25 hotels, and doubled its number of owned properties to 70. Marc Hediger He spent almost two years as Senior Vice President – Property Development – New World Hospitality, Hong Kong, overseeing the launch of Pentahotels and establishing the new Rosewood brand, and prior to joining Dusit, he was CEO of Lanson Place Hospitality Man- agement, Hong Kong, where he successfully doubled its number of luxury hotels from six to 12 properties. Khun Marc is now responsible for taking the lead of Dusit’s Hotel Development and will oversee the department’s global operations, including Asia Pacific (excluding China) and EMEA. A Swiss national, Khun Marc holds a Diplôme d’Études Supérieurs from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland. Throughout his career he has completed, and conducted, various executive management training courses and seminars.

DusitInsider Pulse 5 W RLD ONE DUSIT

n line with our strategy to double our number of hotel rooms in operation, I we are making great progress. Last year, Dusit’s Development team signed 17 properties across Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, DESTINATION , Thailand and Vietnam, and our number of hotels in operation is now set to surpass 70 within the next three years. Alongside continuing to sign new projects SUCCESS in key and emerging markets worldwide, Dusit’s global expansion this year we will open our first hotels in Vietnam, Bhutan and Bahrain, as well as continues apace… expand our presence in China and the Philippines. Listed here are just few of the hotels we will welcome soon to the Dusit family. We’ll feature more in our next issue.

Country debut! Country debut! Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach dusitD2 Resort & Spa Vung Tau Resort Phu Quoc Location: Vietnam Location: Vietnam Partners: Ha Dat Company Limited Partners: Linh Chi Limited Company Business Model: HMA Business Model: Franchise Keys: 100 Keys: 108 In brief: Situated approximately 90km from In brief: Dusit will make its Vietnam debut Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam, with a hotel on the country’s largest island, Vung Tau is spectacularly located on a peninsula Phu Quoc, an up-and-coming tourist destination with extensive beaches. The upscale dusitD2 known for its long, sweeping beaches, rich Vung Tau is located on the west of the peninsula coral reefs, and dense tropical jungle. approximately 10 minutes by car from Vung Tau center.

6 Dusit Pulse FEATURE

Country debut! Country debut! dusitD2 Sunset Road, dusitD2 The Fort,

Location: Location: Philippines Partners: PT. Merpati Abadi Sejahtera and Partners: Bonifacio Civic Center PT. Ayana Realty Holdings Inc. Business Model: HMA Business Model: HMA Keys: 282 Keys: 125 In brief: Located in the heart of a vibrant In brief: Fully integrated with the pioneering shopping, dining and leisure district near the Dusit Hospitality Management College upmarket and fashionable Seminyak town, Manila (DHMCM), this distinctive hotel the hotel is just 15 minutes by car from the is located in the heart of Bonifacio Global sandy Kuta Beach, Double Six Beach, the City – a major financial district also known beachfront Beachwalk shopping mall, Mal as The Fort, where business, commerce Bali Galeria shopping mall, and the lively and lifestyle combine to create a vibrant Legian beachfront area. destination unlike any other.

DusitInsider Pulse 7 FEATURE

Country debut! dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu

Location: Bhutan Partners: Yarkay Group Pvt. Ltd Business Model: HMA Keys: 83 In brief: Designed to reflect the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan’s captivating capital, Dusit’s first hotel in the last great Himalayan kingdom provides the utmost in comfort and convenience in an ideal location a short walk from Thimpu’s Clock Tower Square.

Country debut! Dusit Resort and Spa Lagoona Beach Location: Bahrain Partners: Dar Al-Huda Hotel Apartments S.P.C Business Model: HMA Keys: 174 In brief: Dusit Resort and Spa Lagoona Beach is an upper upscale beachfront hotel, resort and serviced residence located in Al Budaiya on the northwest coast of Bahrain Island. Alongside a health and fitness centre with gender segregated spas and swimming pools, resort amenities Country debut! include water sports, zip-lines, private islands, meeting facilities, a kids’ club, an all-day-dining dusitD2 City Centre Bahrain restaurant, Da Rosa Lebanese restaurant, and Location: Bahrain a vibrant seafront restaurant serving Italian Partners: Al Manzil Hotel cuisine. A luxury villa complex with water park Business Model: HMA is also being planned. Keys: 195 In brief: dusitD2 City Centre Bahrain provides easy access to major cultural, commercial and lifestyle hubs in the heart of Bahrain’s modern capital, . The hotel is just a short drive from Bahrain International Airport as well as major flagship developments along the King Faisal and Sheikh bin Salman Highways.

8 Dusit Pulse FEATURE

Country debut! Dusit Princess Dhaka

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh Partners: Lakeshore Hotels Limited Business Model: Franchise Keys: 90 In brief: Upper-midscale business hotel located in the north of the city, only five minutes by car from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and a short drive from major manufacturing sites. Dhaka is now the second-fastest growing economy in the world and has one of the largest concentrations of multinational companies in South Asia.

Country debut! Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore

Location: Singapore Partners: Laguna National Golf and Country Club Business Model: HMA Keys: 208 In brief: Superbly located within the renowned Laguna National Golf and Country Club, only 10 minutes by car from Changi International Airport and 15 minutes from downtown, the first Dusit-branded resort in Singapore is also the first in the country to offer direct access to a golf club – in this case with two championship courses.

DusitInsider Pulse 9 INSIGHT

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: HOW DUSIT IS DEVELOPING LEADERS FROM WITHIN

Dusit’s new Accelerated Leadership Program is specially designed to enhance the leadership skills of Grade 2 managers at all hotels worldwide

Dusit expands the scale and reach of its The program is capped with a demonstration session, operations worldwide, it is essential for held in front of senior management, in which participants Asthe company to actively develop dynamic must present innovative solutions to issues/problems they leaders who not only manage their teams effectively, think the hotels may need to address. but who also genuinely inspire and empower others to achieve their best while developing their own skills too. “The ultimate aim,” says Sameh, “is to accelerate the leadership skills of our managers in key areas such as how To achieve this, Corporate L&D has introduced a to coach, how to manage conflict, how to get the team new Accelerated Leadership Program crafted by Dusit’s together and solve problems looking at the root causes Talents & Career Development Manager, Sameh not the symptoms, and how to communicate change and Abdelrazek, to enhance the leadership skills of Dusit’s manage change in an inspiring way. Basically, how to Grade 2 managers in line with the company’s core values become a credible and inspiring leader. – Care, Commit, Can Do! – as well as Dusit’s overall strategy for sustainable and profitable growth. “At the hotels, those who complete the program will emerge as genuine change agents whose passion for their The eight-week program features a mix of online roles will inspire their teams and others to reach new learning and interactive workshops across eight distinctive heights together. And that’s exciting stuff!” modules: Dusit leader, Situational leadership, Com- municate for impact, Coaching and feedback, Conflict The Accelerated Leadership Program was officially management, Problem solving, Managing change, and launched on January 23 with its first workshop at Dusit Time management. International’s headquarters in .

During the program, participants will learn all about The program has since been rolled out to all hotels their own leadership styles and how they can improve worldwide, with detailed text and video guidelines sent their own skillsets towards achieving maximum success to the L&D managers of each property. for themselves, their teams, and the company.

10 Dusit Pulse SNAPSHOT

esigned to present Dusit’s ever-growing DUSIT global portfolio of distinctive properties to the Indian travel trade fraternity, in SHOWCASES January Dusit arranged the India Road- show 2018 with one-day workshops in Dboth Mumbai and Bangalore. B2B sessions were held in HOTELS AND the morning, while sessions for wedding planners were RESORTS AT held in the afternoon. With outbound travel in India increasing by about 25 per cent a year and expected to reach 50 million THE INDIA travellers by 2020, this offers huge potential for Dusit Hotels & Resorts, which are well positioned to capitalise ROADSHOW 2018 on this growth.

“As evidenced by the recent opening of our new Global Sales Office in Mumbai, India is a key market for our international properties, and this roadshow is just one of the ways we are actively promoting our brands and gracious hospitality to Indian travellers,” said Ms Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, Vice President Sales, Dusit International. “Taking into account our own expansion, which will see our current tally of 27 properties top 70 worldwide within the next three years, we will be well positioned to leverage the rapid growth of India’s out- bound market with a plethora of options for MICE and leisure travellers..”

Dusit International is represented in India by its Global Sales Office in Mumbai, headed by Ms Keshwar Bhagat, Director of Sales.

DusitInsider Pulse 11 ASAI arrives in style A 300-strong crowd of journalists, hoteliers, restaurateurs and local artisans enjoyed the launch of our new affordable midscale lifestyle brand

12 Dusit Pulse ASAI Hotels – our exciting new brand which connects millennial-minded travellers with authentic local experiences in vibrant neighbourhoods worldwide – arrived in style on 3 April with a vibrant press conference and launch party at Warehouse 30 in Bangkok. Highlighting the four core pillars of the brand – Thoughtful Es- sentials, Common Areas, Locally Inspired and Connected Community – the launch party had a street party vibe and featured creative cocktails made using Thai ingredients, a range of tasty bites from Chatuchak market, vibrant beats by local DJ Jay Montonn, and even a virtual reality space where guests could experience a digital representation of a typical ASAI guest room. It was lively, innovative and fun, and, with six ASAI hotels already in the pipeline (two in Bangkok; three in the Philippines; and one in Myanmar – all set to open in 2019), a clear indication of exciting times to come for the brand. “Recent detailed studies in America have shown that, alongside a de- sire for local experiences, a majority 35% of millennial travellers prefer to stay in luxury and upscale resorts,” said Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Dusit’s Group CEO. “The majority also placed cost and security as chief concerns when booking accommodation. With its focus on thoughtful essentials, ASAI is perfectly positioned to meet these needs, and we look forward to making the brand a huge success.”

To get a better idea of what ASAI is all about, check out the official video above (or visit asaihotels.com).

DusitInsider Pulse 13 TEAM, ONE GOAL, ALL WINNERS!

At the end of March, Dusit GMs and Sales and Marketing executives from around the globe arrived at Dusit Thani Bangkok for both the Dusit Ambassadors’ Workshop and Sales and Marketing Workshop 2018. Held under the respective themes, ‘Be a Winner’ and ‘One Team, One Goal,’ both events highlighted Dusit’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of its operations, with corporate executives, guest speak- ers, and attendees all sharing ideas on how, through teamwork, we can enhance our business and delight our guests worldwide. Many of the ideas and strategies discussed will now be rolled out to all properties worldwide.

14 Dusit Pulse DusitInsider Pulse 15 SNAPSHOTS

Graciousness in the Sky: Dusit flies high with THAI Dusit Thani College spreads its wings with a special workshop for Thai Airways

Thai-owned companies proud to replicate five-star style hotel service – of their heritage, Thai Airways with a particular focus on F&B – for its and Dusit International have first class passengers. Asa lot in common. Like Dusit, the national flight carrier is renowned for its Thai heritage, The crew recently completed and like Dusit, it is also determined to a six-week programme exceed expectations. Always. conducted by Dusit Thani College at the Thai Airways That’s why Dusit is honored that Thai Cabin Crew Training Center. Airways has chosen Dusit Thani College to The college now hopes to instruct its first class cabin crew how they arrange similar programmes throughout can best deliver Dusit-inspired, gracious the year. hospitality in the sky. The flight carrier aims

16 Dusit Pulse INSIGHT Dusit in the news Recent coverage from worldwide media

14 hot new global restaurants Dusit all in on food and drink – for 2018 – CNN Travel Bangkok Post Dusit’s plans to enter the high-end food and drink business with a strategic investment in NR Instant Produce is highlighted here.

Dusit showcases global portfolio at the India Roadshow – TTN Worldwide

Just one month after re-opening after extensive renovations, Benjarong restaurant at Dusit Thani Manila was named one of the 14 Hot New Global Restaurants by CNN Travel.

Dusit reveals plan for second Bahrain hotel project – Arabian Business Dusit promotes its hotels and resorts to one of The signing of Dusit the world’s fastest growing markets Resort and Spa Lagoona Beach, Bahrain was covered by Arabian Business magazine.

Dusit’s Thailand properties now accept Alipay – Business Traveller Dusit has begun accepting transactions using Chinese mobile payment platform, Alipay, at its properties across Thailand. International properties will follow suit soon.

DusitInsider Pulse 17 18 Dusit Pulse DusitInsider Pulse 19 20 Dusit Pulse