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Dusit International reveals plans to expand rapidly across India

Thai hospitality group Dusit International has struck a deal to open its first hotel in India – and outlined its vision to add several more properties across the country in the next few months as part of an ambitious expansion strategy. Starting with Dusit Princess Serviced Suites Kolkata, the Bangkok-headquartered company behind more than 300 properties worldwide is exploring further opportunities for its brands in key locations across India. India earmarked as a key growth opportunity One of Asia’s fastest-growing hospitality companies, Dusit International is now setting plans in motion for a quality-focused expansion, with the aim of opening at least two new Dusit-branded hotels per year from 2021 onwards in Tier I and Tier II cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, as well as leisure destinations throughout India. In addition to the signing of Dusit Princess Serviced Suites Kolkata under a franchise agreement with the Kolkata-based Jain Group, the company reported that it’s on course to conclude another four signings within the coming year. With each property brought into its portfolio, the group follows a strategy of helping owners maximise the value of their assets. Among the planned expansion are palace conversions where the local customs and traditions will be combined with its distinctive brand of Thai-inspired hospitality to create luxury hotel experiences that provide value to the wider community. Already well-known in India, and counting the country among the top source markets for Dusit Hotels and Resorts worldwide, the group is well-positioned to grow its presence here. The parallels between Indian and Thai culture and traditions give the business confidence in its appeal to Indian guests and hotel owners. With the rapid growth of India’s middle class, which is expected to reach 583 million people by 2025, the group sees great potential for upscale and midscale brands in this market. “While Covid19 has brought immense challenges for tourism and hospitality worldwide, we remain confident that our resilient industry can and will bounce back, and we expect India to be a key player in international and domestic tourism in the brighter days ahead,” said Suphajee Suthumpun, group CEO, Dusit International. “We are delighted and honoured that the Jain Group has selected our Dusit Princess brand for their property in Kolkata, and we now look forward to bringing more quality products to the market to generate long-term value for our stakeholders.” Making a mark in Kolkata Currently slated for debut in Q2 2022, Dusit Princess Serviced Suites Kolkata will occupy a prime location near Eco Park as a part of Jain Group’s high-end residential project Dream One. This site is just five minutes by car from the city centre and airport and only a minute from Kalakshetra Metro Station. Providing an ideal base for business and leisure travellers seeking extended stays, the new property will consist of 42 three-bedroom units, a swimming pool, an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant and a fitness and wellness centre. Event space will also be available for small and midscale events. “In the new normal following Covid19, Indian travellers will be increasingly seeking brands they can trust to deliver the high levels of safety, comfort and convenience they deserve,” said Shrayans Jain, vice president of the Jain Group. “Dusit has more than seven decades of experience delivering exceptional guest and customer experiences in key destinations worldwide, and the company already has a strong reputation in India for the quality of its offerings. Our companies’ shared values to deliver quality in all aspects will ensure Dusit Princess Serviced Suites Kolkata is perfectly placed to exceed guest and customer expectations, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with Dusit.” Dusit International currently has more than 300 properties operating under six brands across 13 countries. The company is represented in India by Delhi-based Deepika Arora who is part of the core team behind its expansion across South Asia and Africa.

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India’s first airport Covid-19 testing facility launched in Delhi

The facility at the Terminal-3 of the airport, which offers a walk-in option, "ensures a safe journey of all passengers entering the city or scheduled for domestic connecting flights", the Delhi International Airport Limited, the airport operator, said in a statement. New Delhi: India's first coronavirus airport testing facility was launched on Friday at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The facility at the Terminal-3 of the airport, which offers a walk-in option, "ensures a safe journey of all passengers entering the city or scheduled for domestic connecting flights", airport operator DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) said in a statement. International passengers traveling without a valid COVID negative certificate can book a slot in advance, it said. The test results are available within four-six hours. Passengers have been advised to book the slot an hour before the time of arrival and around four-six hours before the departure flight. "Passengers will have to provide with their details such as name, contact details and valid ID proof while applying online for this facility. They will also have an option to modify the slot in case they are not able to reach at the scheduled appointment time. Besides, passengers belonging to the same family can book a single slot all together through online," the DIAL statement reads. "Until the results are confirmed, passengers will be isolated at the waiting lounge or may opt to stay in a hotel. In case of a positive result, passengers will be processed in line with applicable ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) protocols by the State authorities. This will help the authorities concerned to avoid passengers affected with the disease from coming in close contact with those already having RT-PCR negative report ," it further stresses. Set up across 3,500-square feet area at the multi-level car parking (MLCP) of Terminal-3, this is the first such arrangement among Indian airports amid rise in coronavirus cases. India's coronavirus tally surged to 46 lakh this morning after the biggest single-day jump of over 97,000 fresh infections, the government data showed this morning. Worldwide, over 2.8 crore people have been affected by the pandemic.

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"Dubai Assured" stamp awarded to 90 per cent hotels by Dubai Tourism

Dubai’s government revealed that around 90 per cent of its hotels have been awarded the “Dubai Assured” hygiene stamp. The stamp was rolled out in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and was launched by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Department of Economic Development (DED) and Dubai Municipality. It is based on the preventive protocols issued by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management. Introduced back in July 2020, the “Dubai Assured” hygiene stamp is pegged as “a visual mark reassuring guests that safety and hygiene measures prescribed by the authorities have been complied with across all tiers and categories of tourist and resident touchpoints”. To be awarded the stamp, hotels and other tourism establishments have to undergo a stringent verification process. The stamp needs to be reissued every two weeks with new government inspections. “The success of the “Dubai Assured” compliance programme is mainly due to the effective citywide management of the pandemic under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” said Khalid Saeed Bin Touq, executive director, Tourism Activities and Classification Sector, DTCM. The emirate reopened for international visitors on July 7.

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British Airways to start London to Hyderabad Flights from Today

British Airways has announced its flight services to Hyderabad from London Heathrow, starting September 12. As of now, the UK-based carrier has only been operating outbound flights from Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana, under the bilateral air bubble pact between India and the UK. The airline will operate four flights a week on the route, British Airways said in a release on Thursday. It is already operating outbound flights from Hyderabad to London following the opening up of Indian skies for special flights in August, the airline said. “British Airways, which is already operating outbound flights from Hyderabad to London following the opening up of Indian skies for special flights in August, will now be flying from London Heathrow to Hyderabad as well, starting September 12,” said the release. British Airways is also flying to Heathrow five times a week each from Delhi and Mumbai and four times a week each from Chennai and Bengaluru, making it a total of 23 flights a week from India to the UK, including flights from Hyderabad, the airline stated. As scheduled international air passenger services are suspended since late March, India has established air bubble pacts with the US, France, Kuwait, Qatar, the UK, Canada and Germany, which allow overseas carriers from the respective countries to resume flight services. Under the pact with the UK, Indian carriers SpiceJet and Vistara have also been allowed to operate into Britain.

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Gujarat govt announces its first Heritage Tourism Policy

Gandhinagar: Opening up ancient palaces, forts and other heritage monuments for international and national visitors to boost the tourism sector, the Gujarat government on Friday announced the state’s first heritage tourism policy. The new policy, which will provide an opportunity for the tourists to enjoy and experience a stay in the historical monuments of the state, is also expected to boost the local employment and the state tourism industry. The Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani announced the state’s first heritage tourism policy, which was given the final touch during the high level meeting held earlier Friday. According to the policy, historical monuments, palaces, forts and structures constructed before January 1950 in the state, could be converted into hotels, heritage museums, banquet halls and heritage restaurants. The policy is believed to not only provide the tourists with an experience of staying at the ancient historical and heritage sites and monuments, but it will also open up a new window for job opportunities for the local people. The policy also envisages the utilisation of unused ancient and heritage structures while adding attraction in Gujarat tourism. The state government will provide an aid of Rs 5 to 10 crores to new or existing heritage hotels for renovation and expansion. According to the policy provisions, the developers will be provided an aid of Rs 45 lakh to Rs one crore, to start new or restore an existing heritage museum, heritage banquet hall and heritage restaurant. The restoration or expansion work should be done without altering or damaging the existing original structure. The state government believes that the new policy will place Gujarat on the world heritage tourism map where international tourists will not only be able to enjoy at the sites like Rani ki Vaav, Champaner or Ahmedabad walled city, all world heritage sites, but also enjoy a stay at ancient palaces, forts owned by Kings and other ancient monuments. This move will develop the tourism sector in Gujarat and add up in resource building of earning foreign currency. Gujarat is a state rich with many ancient city ruins, palaces, forts, tombs, beautiful stepwells and temples. It is also home to the archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization like Lothal, sacred summits of Jainism, Buddhism and others.

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Hotels in Himahchal’s Parvati valley to reopen from Sep 15; 50% discount offered

The hoteliers in Parvati Valley in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh have planned to reopen hotels from September 15. This comes as an effort of revamping the tourism sector, which has already suffered a huge blow during the past six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. Also, the hoteliers are planning to offer a 50 per cent discount on hotel booking to attract tourists. Referring to this, an official from the Kullu Hotel Association stated that there are around 300 homestays and hotels in the region that are ready to reopen for tourists. He added that all preparations regarding this are also being made by the hoteliers. It was also mentioned that hotels will be following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have been issued by the government. Also, tourists will have to mandatorily provide COVID-19 negative reports to gain access in the region. Apart from this, hoteliers have asked the state government to let tourists enter the state without any pass and also open a bank in Kasol. Also, to facilitate travel of the tourists, the hotel association has suggested that the state government should plan to start operating deluxe buses to Kullu-Manali from Chandigarh, Delhi, Shimla, and Dehradun to boost tourism in the region. Due to the ongoing crisis all over the world and the country, the tourism sector has been the one that suffered the most. Similarly, the tourism and hospitality sector in this region has not been spared during this time of crisis. Although, states are now opening up for tourism, many locals in this region are not in the favour of reopening hotels as the state is also witnessing a surge in daily infections, and allowing visitors might make the situation even worse.

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