Dusit Pulse 1 Warm greetings from Dusit International Warm greetings and welcome to the August edition of Dusit Pulse. usit’s commitment to quality across all aspects of Golden Horse Awards – regarded as one of its operations really comes to the fore in this issue the highest honors of hoteliers in China as we report on numerous awards and achievements (page 16). received by the company worldwide. As a hospitality company, we recognize This includes special recognition of Dusit’s founder, Thanpuying people are the key to our success. This is why D we have a hiring and promotion policy that Chanut Piyaoui, who recently received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the School of Hotel and Tourism Manage- ensures only top management talent takes on ment (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (see page 4). leadership positions at our hotels and resorts worldwide (see page 12). We also take training and development of young talent seriously, providing programmes designed to create a pool of future leaders for our properties (see page 6). On the subject of properties, in this issue we page 4 page 18 put the spotlight on our first hotel in Singapore – which is slated to open early next year (page This esteemed accolade honours outstanding personalities who 18) – and also speak to the owning family of have contributed substantially to the development of hospitality and Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort, Phu tourism around the world, and we are delighted that, in receiving this Quoc, the first Dusit-branded hotel in Vietnam, reward, Thanpuying Chanut has been recognized for helping to lay which soft opened on May 22 to many positive the foundations for the vibrant tourism industry Thailand enjoys today. reviews (page 8). We are also delighted that Thanpuying Chanut’s founding vision for As ever, we remain committed to ensuring success – to be bold and do great things; to create things that never each of our properties will continue to enjoy existed before; to pursue perfection; and to always be true to who market growth as we expand our operations we are – continues to serve all our stakeholders well as we pursue worldwide. sustainable and profitable growth worldwide. We have the knowledge, we have the experi- Evidence of this can be seen with Dusit’s inclusion – for the fourth ence, and we have the strategic direction. And consecutive year – in Thaipat’s ESG 100 list, which only features we are delighted to have you with us on this companies with outstanding environmental, social and corporate journey. governance (page 3). Suphajee Suthumpun, Further demonstrating our commitment to have a positive impact Group CEO, Dusit International wherever we set foot, Dusit was also named ‘The Most Promising Hotel Management Company in China’ in the 18th China Hotel 2 Dusit Pulse Dusit recognised for outstanding sustainability performance by making Thaipat’s ESG 100 list for the fourth consecutive year Company remains committed to sustainable and profitable growth built on strong environmental, social and corporate governance Dusit has been selected by Thaipat companies with the most outstand- strategy for sustainable growth Institute as one of the top 100 ing performance by industrial – balance, expansion, and diversi- ESG performers among the 683 sector. fication. publicly listed companies assessed in 2018. For the fourth consecutive year, “During the first half of 2018, we Dusit has been placed in the top achieved our investment goals for Established in 2015, Thaipat’s 100 companies in the service this quarter by establishing Dusit ESG Rating Unit assesses publicly sector, reflecting the company’s Foods Co. and entering the food listed companies in the areas of commitment to total quality man- business with an equity invest- Environmental, Social and Gov- agement and a solid strategy for ment in NR Instant Produce Co. ernance (ESG) to find those with sustainable and profitable growth. (NRIP) – and we also introduced outstanding sustainability perfor- ASAI Hotels, a new affordable mance. “We are delighted to be named lifestyle brand aimed at the on the ESG 100 list for the fast-growing market of millenni- Thaipat’s sources of data include fourth consecutive year,” said al-minded travellers. Following the listed companies’ public Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group economic recovery in the tourism disclosures in the form of annual CEO. “That we keep making the sector, we are confident we will be filings (Form 56-1), including list reflects not only our strong able to explore even more oppor- annual reports, sustainability corporate governance, but also our tunities to add even more new reports and sustainable develop- commitment to creating long-lasting revenue streams to our company.” ment performance data. This is value for all of our stakeholders then used to determine the 100 by following our three-pronged Dusit Pulse 3 Dusit founder, Thanpuying Chanut, receives prestigious SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award Accolade marks 70 years of hospitality excellence Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, Founder and Honorary of hospitality and tourism in Hong Kong, the region Chairperson of Dusit International, has received the and around the world. This year, the recipient was prestigious SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award selected in accordance with the theme ‘Celebration from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of Women in Leadership.’ (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Thanpuying Chanut established Dusit Internation- al in 1948 and opened her first property in Bang- Ranked among the top 3 “Hospitality and Leisure kok, Princess Hotel, in 1949. It was one of the first Management” institutions globally in the QS World properties in the city to feature a swimming pool, an University Rankings by Subject 2017 and 2018, the elevator, and air conditioning. SHTM is a symbol of excellence in the field. Determined to open a five-star hotel offering luxury Established in 2016, SHTM’s annual awards are hospitality with a distinctively Thai touch, in 1970 designed to honour outstanding personalities who she achieved this aim with the opening of the flagship have contributed substantially to the development Dusit Thani Bangkok – then the city’s tallest, grandest 4 Dusit Pulse Mr Chan Tze-ching, Chairman of the PolyU Council, said, “Our awardee, Thanpuying Chanut, is a legend and pioneer in her industry. Her exemplary accom- plishments have not only played an important role in raising the level of the regional and global hospitality business but also helped transform it through a distinctively Asian focus. “Throughout the years, she has contributed generously building – which has been a true icon ever since. to charitable causes and royal projects, in both personal and professional capacities. Thanpuying Building on the success of this property, Thanpuying Chanut provides a truly inspirational role model, Chanut opened more five-star hotels in major tourism demonstrating to practitioners around the world what destinations in Thailand and overseas, and branched can be achieved with foresight, tenacity, and a giving out into hotel and culinary education with the Dusit heart, while being an especially significant figure to Thani College in 1993, and Le Cordon Bleu Dusit women in this region.” Culinary School, a joint venture with Le Cordon Bleu, in 2007. For her efforts in hospitality and related education, on 5 May 2000 His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand conferred upon Ms Piyaoui the highest royal decoration for a civilian: Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, Higher Grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao. And with this, the right to bear the title “Thanpuying,” the equivalent of “Dame.” The SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award was pre- Previous winners of the SHTM Lifetime Achieve- sented to Thanpuying Chanut, now 97 years old, in ment Award include Mr Adrian Zecha, founder of Bangkok in February 2018. A ceremony was held Aman Resorts, and the Honourable Sir Michael in her honour at Hotel ICON in Hong Kong on 22 Kadoorie. June 2018, where she was represented by her son, Mr Chanin Donavanik, Vice Chairman and Chairman Discover the fascinating history of Dusit’s of the Executive Committee, Dusit International. founder and honorary chairperson at: https://bit.ly/2Mz4MBM “Throughout her life my mother has worked tirelessly, and unselfishly, to promote and develop Thailand’s tourism industry overall, and she is delighted and honoured to be recognised with this prestigious award,” said Mr Donavanik. “Since opening her first hotel 70 years ago, my mother has always believed in Asia’s potential to become the epicenter of the tourism and travel industry, and she is delighted that, in the SHTM, we have a kindred spirit in Hong Kong which not only shares these sentiments, but whose dedication to developing young talent mirrors our own values and efforts in Southeast Asia.” Dusit Pulse 5 Dusit introduces new training programme to develop hotel leaders of the future is designed to create a pool of talented managers for Dusit properties worldwide usit has officially directly from top executives while solve challenges encountered at selected six success- working on special projects. At the hotels level with the help of ful candidates to take the end of the 12 months, successful the team there, fostering a climate part in the company’s candidates will become assistant of creativity in the process,” said Dnew accelerated management pro- managers, with an excellent Mr Donavanik, Managing Director, gramme – LEAD. opportunity