By Anton Constantinou
Thailand is a country known for its hospitality, and, for proof of that, you need only look to the apartments provided by Dusit International.
Dusit is a multinational property provider offering five-star accommodation with a focus on traditional Thai values like kindness and compassion. The company operates in over 15 countries and takes these values with it wherever it goes.
For a taste of true Thai hospitality, we spoke to Omar Dalati Toresano, Sales Manager for Dusit International, who recently joined the company and was keen to share his story.
You’ve recently joined Dusit International. Where did you work before?
I previously worked for a hotel operator as a Regional Sales Support Executive, where I developed long-term relationships with travel agents and tour operators. I represented a number of brands at European level at tradeshows and B2B and B2C events, and was responsible for managing a large UK budget.
What does your role at Dusit involve?
As Sales Manager for UK & Southern Europe, I drive business to our apartments through a mixture of sales calls, presentations and conferences. I oversee our sales strategy for a number of markets, and work closely with tourism boards and airlines to support our marketing activities. I also organise road shows, as well as increase our coverage with tour operators.
How did Dusit International come about?
Dusit was born from a desire to bring Thai values to the hospitality market. The company has been running for over 60 years and puts a relentless focus on kindness and compassion in its guest experience.
It was founded in 1948 by Honorary Chairperson Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui who was recently given an achievement award from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
What proportion of Dusit’s offering are serviced apartments?
Of the 27 properties we manage, three of them are serviced apartments. The plan is to increase this number in the coming years.
Which is your favourite Dusit location and why?
I would have to say Dubai. Our corporate clients love it – it’s an excellent place to do business, and is full of opportunities. I’ve come to know the city really well, and feel that it has lots to offer. It’s both a business hub and a networking destination, with world-class shops, restaurants and attractions.
Talk us through some of the guest experiences that Dusit offers?
Thai hospitality informs everything we do. Our staff members go out of their way to provide a friendly, welcoming atmosphere in accordance with our core values. A big part of that hospitality offering is food. A number of our apartments boast high-end on-site restaurants, serving authentic Thai cuisine. Our apartments also benefit from event spaces, which allow guests to conduct meetings and conferences on-site.
We’ve seen an increase in clients booking apartments in the Middle East in recent years. How important is this region to Dusit?
We currently operate in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and have new properties on the way in Bahrain and Doha. The Middle East has, thus far, proved a prosperous region for us, and will continue to see pick-up as we move into 2019.
What are your expansion plans for the future?
Our expansion plans are currently focused on Asia, with a big focus the Middle East where we are seeing an increased interest from both leisure and business travellers.
We are also opening new properties in Bhutan, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Philippines and Qatar.
