by Joachim Fischer, Bangkok
Dusit Thani Seeks to Benefit from the Summit
The Dusit Thani Hua Hin expects its designation as official conference hotel for the 15th ASEAN Summit, to take place from October 21 to 25, to have a positive impact on bookings during the winter season and in the upcoming year. Dusit International has invested 200 million baht in upgrading its five-star hotel in Hua Hin, renovating the dining facilities and the Dusit Club and Lounge, among others. For the duration of the conference, the tourism destination’s leading hotels are fully booked, with the following weeks expected to yield occupancy rates between 60 and 70 percent before returning back to normal in the course of the next year.
Amari – Plans for 40 New Hotels by 2018
Amari, one of Thailand’s largest domestic hotel management companies, with an inventory exceeding 3,000 rooms and employing over 3,000 staff, is to invest US$44.1 million in new a corporate growth strategy.
The group, which currently has 11 properties in key destinations across Thailand including Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Chang, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Krabi plans to operate 40 more properties in Asia Pacific by 2018.
The move comes one year after the appointment of President and CEO, Peter Henley who has spent his tenure to date focused heavily on preparing for change, allocating investment to the enhancement of systems and processes, significant revitalisation of the Amari brand and corporate management restructuring. This has included the appointment of a number of strategic senior hires from hospitality giants including Ritz-Carlton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses and Shangri-La. The new management structure includes the addition of roles with specific skill sets in areas including development, technical services and revenue management.
92% of MITM Exhibitors Rate the Trade Show Excellent or Good
Traditionally, MITM Euromed, Meetings and Incentive Travel Market, asks exhibitors to evaluate the travel trade show after its completion. This year’s MITM exhibitor evaluation of the 13th edition in Oviedo, Spain, gave these results:
Trade fair format: fair, 9%; good, 54%; excellent, 37%.
Organization: fair 5%; good, 59%; excellent, 36%
Buyers Quality: poor, 1%; fair, 8%; good, 61%; excellent, 30%.
Business Opportunities: poor, 4%; fair, 7%; good, 64%; excellent, 25%.
Overall Rate: fair 7%; good, 61%; excellent, 32%.
Asking if they would exhibit in MITM Euromed next year the reply was 84%, yes; 13%, did not know; and 3%, no.
The attending buyers rated the venue as: 42% good and 58% excellent.
For more information please contact: Charo Trabado, Commercial Director, gsar@gsamark.com, tel +34 91 541 43 08.
