Using Thailand and Asia as a starting point to expand its footprint on this side of the world, the Minor group had already set an example with its 2018 acquisition of NH Hotels. Dusit Hotels & Resorts now seems to be following a similar path. The hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, has just concluded not a takeover but a strategic partnership to develop its offering in Europe and the United States.
To achieve this objective, the company is relying on two allies, two brands owned by Queensgate Investments, Generator and Freehand Hotels. While Generator focuses on new-generation youth hostels and is present mainly in Europe, Freehand Hotels has several boutique hotels across the Atlantic, in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. These are destinations and segments not covered by Dusit's offering, which boasts some sixty hotels in Asia and the Middle East, ranging from luxury with Dusit Thani to lifestyle with the Asai and DusitD2 brands, and mid-range with Dusit Princess.
The aim of this partnership is to accelerate the international growth of all these brands by pooling the development resources of the two groups. Like Minor, which has exported NH brands to Asia While its Anantara and Avani brands are gaining ground in Europe, the Thai hotel operator's tie-up with Generator and Freehand is opening up opportunities for cross-fertilisation.
While Dusit is absent from the United States and represented in Europe by a single establishment in Athens, this merger could lead to new openings in London, Paris, New York and Los Angeles. At the same time, Generator and Freehand could appear in major Asian cities such as Bangkok, Manila, Kyoto, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as resort destinations like Phuket and Bali.
" It's a win-win situation for both companiessaid Siradej Donavanik, Vice-President of Global Development at Dusit International. It broadens our development horizons without compromising our existing brand portfolioss ". On his side, Alastair ThomannCEO of Generator and Freehand Hotels, sees this innovative partnership as "an exciting new chapter in the growth trajectory of our companies" .
