Bangkok will play host to an extensive international culinary event when Asia's 1st Culinary Cup 2009 comes to Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, from September 2-5. It will coincide with the Food & Hotel Thailand 2009,one of the kingdom's biggest hospitality trade exhibitions featuring food and drink, hotels, catering, bakery, restaurants and kitchen equipment, retail supplies and services.
Asia's 1st Culinary Cup will be the first international culinary art contest and convention, and a platform where professionals from all over the world can showcase their talents. The event is organised by the Thai-Swiss Culinary Consultants in association with the Thai Chef's Association, the Thai Hotels Association and the Thai Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), with experts from World Association of Chef's Societies (WACS) as consultants.
"More than 200 award-winning chefs from around the world have confirmed their attendance," said Jamnong Nirangsan, president of the Thai Chefs Association."The competition will follow the rules of similar projects in Germany,Singapore and France, and the judges will be well-known culinary experts, most of whom are WACS approved international judges.
"Taking part in the competition will be teams from national and regional culinary associations as well as individual professionals from around the world.So far,12 countries have already registered - Australia, Austria, China, UAE,Holland, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Slovakia, Taiwan and Thailand."
The four-day Culinary Cup will see competitions in various fields including fruit and vegetable-carving, ice-carving,Thai cooking, Asian cooking, Western cooking, US turkey-cooking, modern sandwich-making, breakfast-cooking,cake-dressing, meat and poultry-cooking,Italian pasta dishes, petits fours/pralines/tea pastries, dessert-making, East meets West cooking, a Gourmet Team Challenge and the Hans Bueschkens Junior Chefs Challenge
"Apart from the culinary competitions,the event will become a platform for the Asian industry for presenting a range of related activities, business opportunities,and the chance to explore what Bangkok has to offer in terms of hospitality and culinary arts," said Jamnong.
"The flourishing infrastructure that Bangkok can provide in terms of its hotels,great restaurants and food facilities will add significantly to the experience of what will probably be the best culinary event ever held in Asia," he said.
Food & Hotel Thailand 2009 is expected to bring together more than 25,000 hoteliers, chefs, hypermarket executives,restaurant owners and managers, caterers, housekeeping managers and other related professionals. It will also coincide with Hostec Asia, the only international trade event for Asia's food and hospitality professionals; the Asean Hotel Congress;the Thai Restaurant Conference; the Thai Retailers Summit and the Food & Beverage Association of Thailand's International Wine Challenge.
Food & Hotel Thailand 2009 and Asia's 1st Culinary Cup 2009 and other related shows will all be held at Royal Paragon Hall on the fifth floor of Siam Paragon from September 2-5, daily from 10:30am-6:30pm. For more information, please visit www.foodhotelthailand.com or www.asiaculinarycup09.com.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Accor may split hotel, services units
Europe's largest hotel group,Accor, said yesterday it might split its prepaid services division from its main hotel operations, pushing its shares up even though its first-half profits were lower.
The company forecast operating profit before tax and non-recurring items would fall by around half this year as the economic crisis hurts demand for its top-end and mid-range hotels, and it raised its cost-savings target for the year.
"Taking account of the depth and speed of the changes to come, the trans-formation of the two businesses will be accelerated," Accor said, adding that it would study "the merits of a separation of the business in two autonomous units with their own strategy and means of development."
Shares in Accor rose as much as 10.7%to38.73 in early trading yesterday, as analysts welcomed the chance for prepaid services to realise a valuation premium to hotels.
"The possibility of listing the entities autonomously allows a fair value to be given to the services shares without affecting their capacity to grow and the acceleration of the restructuring of the hotel unit, whose valuation will definitely benefit with time," Natixis analysts said.
Accor had earlier this year dismissed splitting hotels from prepaid services,which include luncheon vouchers and prepaid bank cards, saying such services were key to supporting earnings as it countered the cyclicality of its hotel business.
Chairman and chief executive Gilles Pelisson told analysts yesterday that it had become clear there were very limited synergies between the two businesses and that opportunities to grow services had increased.
He cited a joint venture agreed with MasterCard in February to provide flexible payment services, called PrePay Solutions, adding that autonomy would allow both businesses to access the financing they need to grow independently.
Accor's hotel business, ranging from the budget Ibis brand to top-of-therange Sofitel, has suffered from a drop in demand for its upscale and midscale hotels, as well as its economy hotels in the US, during the economic crisis.
Budget hotels outside the US, especially in France, have remained resilient.
British rival InterContinental Hotels,the world's biggest hotelier, said on Aug 11 a recovery for the industry might be two years away. Marriott International last month reported a 76% drop in second-quarter profit and cut its 2009 forecast.
Accor's pretax profit before nonrecurring items fell 54% in the first six months of the year to 182 million ($261 million). The group forecast full-year profit of 400-450 million, down from 875 million last year.
The group swung to a net loss of 150 million, compared with a yearearlier profit of 310 million, weighed down by 53 million of restructuring costs and 194 million of impairment losses, including for Motel 6 in the US.
Accor raised its target to reduce operating costs this year to 150 million from 120 million.The company added that it expected no major improvement in its hotel business in the second half of the year.
Prepaid services were expected to see a decline of over 25% in secondhalf interest income, causing like-forlike revenue to show a slight gain for the year, it said.
Pelisson was made chairman as well as chief executive in February, leading to the departure of previous chairman Serge Weinberg and five other members of the board of directors, under pressure from top shareholders Eurazeo and Colony, which own a combined 30% of Accor.
Accor in June sold its 4% stake in Club Mediterannee to Credit Agricole.
The company forecast operating profit before tax and non-recurring items would fall by around half this year as the economic crisis hurts demand for its top-end and mid-range hotels, and it raised its cost-savings target for the year.
"Taking account of the depth and speed of the changes to come, the trans-formation of the two businesses will be accelerated," Accor said, adding that it would study "the merits of a separation of the business in two autonomous units with their own strategy and means of development."
Shares in Accor rose as much as 10.7%to38.73 in early trading yesterday, as analysts welcomed the chance for prepaid services to realise a valuation premium to hotels.
"The possibility of listing the entities autonomously allows a fair value to be given to the services shares without affecting their capacity to grow and the acceleration of the restructuring of the hotel unit, whose valuation will definitely benefit with time," Natixis analysts said.
Accor had earlier this year dismissed splitting hotels from prepaid services,which include luncheon vouchers and prepaid bank cards, saying such services were key to supporting earnings as it countered the cyclicality of its hotel business.
Chairman and chief executive Gilles Pelisson told analysts yesterday that it had become clear there were very limited synergies between the two businesses and that opportunities to grow services had increased.
He cited a joint venture agreed with MasterCard in February to provide flexible payment services, called PrePay Solutions, adding that autonomy would allow both businesses to access the financing they need to grow independently.
Accor's hotel business, ranging from the budget Ibis brand to top-of-therange Sofitel, has suffered from a drop in demand for its upscale and midscale hotels, as well as its economy hotels in the US, during the economic crisis.
Budget hotels outside the US, especially in France, have remained resilient.
British rival InterContinental Hotels,the world's biggest hotelier, said on Aug 11 a recovery for the industry might be two years away. Marriott International last month reported a 76% drop in second-quarter profit and cut its 2009 forecast.
Accor's pretax profit before nonrecurring items fell 54% in the first six months of the year to 182 million ($261 million). The group forecast full-year profit of 400-450 million, down from 875 million last year.
The group swung to a net loss of 150 million, compared with a yearearlier profit of 310 million, weighed down by 53 million of restructuring costs and 194 million of impairment losses, including for Motel 6 in the US.
Accor raised its target to reduce operating costs this year to 150 million from 120 million.The company added that it expected no major improvement in its hotel business in the second half of the year.
Prepaid services were expected to see a decline of over 25% in secondhalf interest income, causing like-forlike revenue to show a slight gain for the year, it said.
Pelisson was made chairman as well as chief executive in February, leading to the departure of previous chairman Serge Weinberg and five other members of the board of directors, under pressure from top shareholders Eurazeo and Colony, which own a combined 30% of Accor.
Accor in June sold its 4% stake in Club Mediterannee to Credit Agricole.
TCC LAND TARGETS SPA RESORT
TCC Land, a property arm of beverage tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, is considering taking over two hotels in Ranong, said a source in the hotel industry.
The source said TCC Land had sent officials to survey the market, and Chansom Hot Spa and Tinidee Hotel @ Ranong could be on the takeover list.
"The group seems to be most interested in Chansom Hot Spa, as it is located right on Phetkasem Road near the entrance to the Raksa Warin hot spring. The hotel is also the only concessionaire to the hot spring and it is also the producer of a mineral-water product," the source said.
Phannee Srokhai, deputy managing director of Chansom Hot Spa, said many groups had shown interest in taking over the hotel.
"What we want to sell is the mineral-water plant located behind the hotel," Phannee said. "The plant was temporarily closed but all the machines function well. But we don't have experience in production and marketing."
Meanwhile, she said the owner had no plan to sell the hotel, but given the economic crisis, might welcome a good offer. "But there has been no formal discussion with any group," she added.
Phannee said the group welcomed TCC Land's proposal, but the result depended on conditions. She estimated the hotel should fetch at least Bt400 million.
The source said TCC Land had sent officials to survey the market, and Chansom Hot Spa and Tinidee Hotel @ Ranong could be on the takeover list.
"The group seems to be most interested in Chansom Hot Spa, as it is located right on Phetkasem Road near the entrance to the Raksa Warin hot spring. The hotel is also the only concessionaire to the hot spring and it is also the producer of a mineral-water product," the source said.
Phannee Srokhai, deputy managing director of Chansom Hot Spa, said many groups had shown interest in taking over the hotel.
"What we want to sell is the mineral-water plant located behind the hotel," Phannee said. "The plant was temporarily closed but all the machines function well. But we don't have experience in production and marketing."
Meanwhile, she said the owner had no plan to sell the hotel, but given the economic crisis, might welcome a good offer. "But there has been no formal discussion with any group," she added.
Phannee said the group welcomed TCC Land's proposal, but the result depended on conditions. She estimated the hotel should fetch at least Bt400 million.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
LaTour IndoChine Hotel group unveils first project
Newly formed hotel-management company the LaTour IndoChine Hotel Group recently announced its first project: the IndoChine Resort and Villas, in Phuket.
The company is a joint venture between the LaTour Signature Group, a joint venture with ResortCom Elite that provides management services to small, luxury fractional-ownership properties, and the IndoChine Group, an international lifestyle brand.
The first property in the LaTour IndoChine Hotel Group's portfolio, the IndoChine Resort and Villas in Phuket, promises to be a haven of contemporary Asian living. Overlooking Kalim Beach and the Andaman Sea, the resort consists of one- to six-bedroom villas, ocean-view studios and a large entertainment complex.
The property will include elevated terraces, a stunning waterfall, two natural pools and five spacious spa-treatment rooms, along with full-time butler service and high-speed wireless Internet throughout all accommodations.
Based in Singapore, the LaTour IndoChine Hotel Group will provide comprehensive specialised services to developers entering the realm of boutique hotels and six-star hotels, as well as whole and fractional-ownership villas. The group plans to expand further into Asia, including the Middle East, as well as New Zealand and Australia.
"By combining the strengths of the LaTour Signature Group and the IndoChine Group, we are able to further assist developers and manage properties with global influence," said Tom LaTour, founder of the LaTour Signature Group.
"For example, IndoChine Resort and Villas represent an ideal opportunity to create a premier hybrid luxury resort for the region and the Middle East overall."
"IndoChine Resort and Villas is the first of many LaTour IndoChine properties to come," said IndoChine Group CEO Michael Ma.
"And by providing all the necessary services and expert advice luxury resorts and hotels need, the LaTour IndoChine Hotel Group will help them successfully launch into the Asian market."
The company is a joint venture between the LaTour Signature Group, a joint venture with ResortCom Elite that provides management services to small, luxury fractional-ownership properties, and the IndoChine Group, an international lifestyle brand.
The first property in the LaTour IndoChine Hotel Group's portfolio, the IndoChine Resort and Villas in Phuket, promises to be a haven of contemporary Asian living. Overlooking Kalim Beach and the Andaman Sea, the resort consists of one- to six-bedroom villas, ocean-view studios and a large entertainment complex.
The property will include elevated terraces, a stunning waterfall, two natural pools and five spacious spa-treatment rooms, along with full-time butler service and high-speed wireless Internet throughout all accommodations.
Based in Singapore, the LaTour IndoChine Hotel Group will provide comprehensive specialised services to developers entering the realm of boutique hotels and six-star hotels, as well as whole and fractional-ownership villas. The group plans to expand further into Asia, including the Middle East, as well as New Zealand and Australia.
"By combining the strengths of the LaTour Signature Group and the IndoChine Group, we are able to further assist developers and manage properties with global influence," said Tom LaTour, founder of the LaTour Signature Group.
"For example, IndoChine Resort and Villas represent an ideal opportunity to create a premier hybrid luxury resort for the region and the Middle East overall."
"IndoChine Resort and Villas is the first of many LaTour IndoChine properties to come," said IndoChine Group CEO Michael Ma.
"And by providing all the necessary services and expert advice luxury resorts and hotels need, the LaTour IndoChine Hotel Group will help them successfully launch into the Asian market."
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Asean integration could worsen nominee problems
Foreign nominee problems will continue to haunt Thai hoteliers and the situation will worsen when the Asean Economic Community (AEC) takes effect next year.
Foreign ownership of properties through nominees has raised concern in Thailand for a long time, said Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA). Most cases have been in tourist destinations such as Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, Rayong and Chiang Mai.
"Our [local hoteliers] are very concerned about this issue but can't do anything. It is difficult to oppose foreign funds from many places like Europe,Scandinavia and Singapore. I think if this situation continues, foreign investors will own most prime properties in tourist destinations," he said.
Holding shares through Thai nominees is illegal but many companies hire lawyers to clear the way for foreigners through legal loopholes, said Kittipong Urapeepatanapong of law firm Baker &McKenzie (Bangkok).
"I believe they wouldn't want to do this if the law allowed them to rent properties or land for 60 or 90 years, up from 30 years at present. This nominee issue is growing more and more. If the gov-ernment wants to seriously investigate it, the problem will be solved, but the probe will take time," he said.
When the AEC starts being implemented next year, Thai tourism operators will face an influx of more foreign funds after the liberalisation of air transport,tourism, telecommunications and health care, said Mr Prakit. Asean countries will be forced to allow foreigners to own stakes of up to 70% in companies.
"If we have to open up more, the nominee problems will worsen. Foreign investors will own more land and properties in prime locations and beachfront land," he said.
Foreigner operators can currently legally own land through Board of Investment (BoI) privileges only open to hotel operators.
All foreign-owned hotel operators are allowed to own land as a privilege if they attain BoI approval, said BOI senior investment adviser Hirunya Suchinai.
BoI rules open the hotel industry to foreign companies with at least 1 million baht in registered capital and a financial plan to borrow no more than three times the registered capital, she said.
Companies file project details and numbers of rooms with BoI, which decides how much land they can buy or own. Companies must sell their land within a year of leaving the business.
Foreign ownership of properties through nominees has raised concern in Thailand for a long time, said Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA). Most cases have been in tourist destinations such as Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, Rayong and Chiang Mai.
"Our [local hoteliers] are very concerned about this issue but can't do anything. It is difficult to oppose foreign funds from many places like Europe,Scandinavia and Singapore. I think if this situation continues, foreign investors will own most prime properties in tourist destinations," he said.
Holding shares through Thai nominees is illegal but many companies hire lawyers to clear the way for foreigners through legal loopholes, said Kittipong Urapeepatanapong of law firm Baker &McKenzie (Bangkok).
"I believe they wouldn't want to do this if the law allowed them to rent properties or land for 60 or 90 years, up from 30 years at present. This nominee issue is growing more and more. If the gov-ernment wants to seriously investigate it, the problem will be solved, but the probe will take time," he said.
When the AEC starts being implemented next year, Thai tourism operators will face an influx of more foreign funds after the liberalisation of air transport,tourism, telecommunications and health care, said Mr Prakit. Asean countries will be forced to allow foreigners to own stakes of up to 70% in companies.
"If we have to open up more, the nominee problems will worsen. Foreign investors will own more land and properties in prime locations and beachfront land," he said.
Foreigner operators can currently legally own land through Board of Investment (BoI) privileges only open to hotel operators.
All foreign-owned hotel operators are allowed to own land as a privilege if they attain BoI approval, said BOI senior investment adviser Hirunya Suchinai.
BoI rules open the hotel industry to foreign companies with at least 1 million baht in registered capital and a financial plan to borrow no more than three times the registered capital, she said.
Companies file project details and numbers of rooms with BoI, which decides how much land they can buy or own. Companies must sell their land within a year of leaving the business.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Dusit pushes ahead with India plans
Dusit International plans to expand into India next year, with the goal of managing seven hotels by 2013 and a total of 20 within 10 years.
Harsh Varma, regional vice president of Dusit Bird Hotels, a joint venture between Dusit International and Bird Group of India, said the company would begin operating its first hotel in New Delhi, the Dusit Devarana New Delhi, in May 2010. Located near the centre of the city, the 78-room hotel will be the first luxury hotel in Dusit's India portfolio.
The group plans to manage Dusit Devarana hotels in other cities, including Jaipur, Rishikesh and Goa, by 2013. All the properties will be owned and developed by Bird Group. The firms plan to add several more hotels to the management roster by 2013.
Dusit also plans to open its first dusitD2 hotel outside Thailand, the dusitD2 new delhi, next year, Varma said.
He described India as a key market for Dusit, which aims to become one of the leading hotel operators in the country.
"India is a large country with huge domestic volume, while also welcoming overseas investors and opening air traffic up to international airlines, so it's a good time to go," he said.
"We want to have up to 20 hotels and resorts in India within the next 10 years," Varma said.
Octavio Gamara, senior vice president of Dusit International, said 2010 would be an important year for the firm, bringing the opening of the two Indian properties, as well as projects in Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Koh Samui and other locations to be announced soon.
Born in India, Varma has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality field. After lworking for the Oberoi Group for 10 years, he was appointed GM of two properties of the Ascott Group.
He continued his career as general manager of Oakwood City Residence in Bangkok before joining Dusit International.
Harsh Varma, regional vice president of Dusit Bird Hotels, a joint venture between Dusit International and Bird Group of India, said the company would begin operating its first hotel in New Delhi, the Dusit Devarana New Delhi, in May 2010. Located near the centre of the city, the 78-room hotel will be the first luxury hotel in Dusit's India portfolio.
The group plans to manage Dusit Devarana hotels in other cities, including Jaipur, Rishikesh and Goa, by 2013. All the properties will be owned and developed by Bird Group. The firms plan to add several more hotels to the management roster by 2013.
Dusit also plans to open its first dusitD2 hotel outside Thailand, the dusitD2 new delhi, next year, Varma said.
He described India as a key market for Dusit, which aims to become one of the leading hotel operators in the country.
"India is a large country with huge domestic volume, while also welcoming overseas investors and opening air traffic up to international airlines, so it's a good time to go," he said.
"We want to have up to 20 hotels and resorts in India within the next 10 years," Varma said.
Octavio Gamara, senior vice president of Dusit International, said 2010 would be an important year for the firm, bringing the opening of the two Indian properties, as well as projects in Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Koh Samui and other locations to be announced soon.
Born in India, Varma has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality field. After lworking for the Oberoi Group for 10 years, he was appointed GM of two properties of the Ascott Group.
He continued his career as general manager of Oakwood City Residence in Bangkok before joining Dusit International.
BURITARA GROUP PLANS TO PUT UP HOTEL IN PAI
Buritara Group, the operator of a chain of small hotels, plans to build a hotel in Pai, in Mae Hong Son province, and eventually aims to manage independent hotels in all major tourist destinations.
The group's chief executive officer, Tite Chinsomboon, who has been in the hotel business in both Thailand and in overseas for more than 25 years, said now is a good time to invest in establishing a hotel-management network.
Thailand remains a popular destination among international tourists, Tite said, but a new generation of travellers has emerged that is not content to stay in regular hotels. Buritara aims to tap that demand, he said.
Construction of the hotel in Pai is expected to start soon. It will be the fourth property in the company's portfolio following projects in Kanchanaburi and Pattaya, and on Koh Pha-ngan.
The new hotel will be nestled in natural surroundings and include a spa.
"We only have plans to build one new hotel. We chose Pai because it has growth potential," Tite said.
The group has its eye on the hotel-management business, as it has found that many individual hotels need help with marketing and general management.
Buritara has already signed its first management contract, with a 70-room hotel in Pattaya, and aims to manage hotels and resorts in other destinations including Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui. It will soon begin managing a small hotel on Bangkok's Charoennakorn Road.
To better position each property, Buritara plans to split its brand into three.
Buritara Resort and Spa will comprise hotels in destinations outside of the large towns, such as Koh Pha-ngan.
Buritara City Resort will cover hotels in cities, including Pattaya.
Buritara Boutique Resort will be the brand for small hotels, including those in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, the group is fitting out all of its hotels with new attractions and refurbishments, including a spa in the hotel in Kanchanaburi and more rooms at the Koh Pha-ngan site.
"As we are operating in tourist destinations, 50 per cent of our customers are form overseas, particularly Europe.
"The rest are local FITs [free individual travellers]," he said.
Tite said he was confident the group would achieve its business goals despite the current political uncertainty.
Buritara has signed its first management contract, with a 70-room hotel in Pattaya, and aims to manage hotels and resorts in other destinations including Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui.
The group's chief executive officer, Tite Chinsomboon, who has been in the hotel business in both Thailand and in overseas for more than 25 years, said now is a good time to invest in establishing a hotel-management network.
Thailand remains a popular destination among international tourists, Tite said, but a new generation of travellers has emerged that is not content to stay in regular hotels. Buritara aims to tap that demand, he said.
Construction of the hotel in Pai is expected to start soon. It will be the fourth property in the company's portfolio following projects in Kanchanaburi and Pattaya, and on Koh Pha-ngan.
The new hotel will be nestled in natural surroundings and include a spa.
"We only have plans to build one new hotel. We chose Pai because it has growth potential," Tite said.
The group has its eye on the hotel-management business, as it has found that many individual hotels need help with marketing and general management.
Buritara has already signed its first management contract, with a 70-room hotel in Pattaya, and aims to manage hotels and resorts in other destinations including Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui. It will soon begin managing a small hotel on Bangkok's Charoennakorn Road.
To better position each property, Buritara plans to split its brand into three.
Buritara Resort and Spa will comprise hotels in destinations outside of the large towns, such as Koh Pha-ngan.
Buritara City Resort will cover hotels in cities, including Pattaya.
Buritara Boutique Resort will be the brand for small hotels, including those in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, the group is fitting out all of its hotels with new attractions and refurbishments, including a spa in the hotel in Kanchanaburi and more rooms at the Koh Pha-ngan site.
"As we are operating in tourist destinations, 50 per cent of our customers are form overseas, particularly Europe.
"The rest are local FITs [free individual travellers]," he said.
Tite said he was confident the group would achieve its business goals despite the current political uncertainty.
Buritara has signed its first management contract, with a 70-room hotel in Pattaya, and aims to manage hotels and resorts in other destinations including Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui.
Dusit plans five India hotels
Dusit International, a local hotel management company, says it will manage five hotels and resorts in India by 2013.
The five properties, requiring a total investment of US$410 million, are: the 78-room Dusit Devarana New Delhi, to open in May 2010; the 200-room Dusit D2 New Delhi, scheduled for the first quarter of 2011; the 137-room Dusit Devarana Jaipur; the Dusit Devarana Rishikesh; and another hotel in Goa for which details have yet to be finalised.
Octavio Gamarra, senior vicepresident of Dusit, said India's hospitality sector had great potential for growth because the country's economy has been growing strongly along with its huge population.
To enter India, Dusit set up Dusit Bird Hotels as a joint venture with Bird Hospitality Services (BHS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bird Group, one of India's largest conglomerates. Dusit International and BHS will each hold 50% of Dusit Bird Hotels.
"India has always been a key market for Dusit International. But expanding business in India is not easy. We need someone who is local to run the plan.We have found Harsh Varma, an Indianborn hotelier, to be in charge of Indian market," said Mr Gamarra.
"We believe that India is a potential market because it is growing continuously despite the present global economic atmosphere. Its domestic market is very good because there are so many highincome and middle-class people. Its economic growth attracts foreign investments as well," said Mr Varma.
Dusit will conduct marketing campaigns through local media such as magazines that suit its target groups. It may invite celebrities to stay at its hotels because they will convince other people to visit as well. The selection of celebrities will match the hotel image.
Dusit Bird Hotels is looking to bring the best of Asian hospitality to India before the Commonwealth Games in 2010. It expects a shortage of hotel rooms in India before the world's second-largest sporting event.
Dusit expects to manage at least 10 hotels in the next 10 years in India, said Mr Gamarra.
The five properties, requiring a total investment of US$410 million, are: the 78-room Dusit Devarana New Delhi, to open in May 2010; the 200-room Dusit D2 New Delhi, scheduled for the first quarter of 2011; the 137-room Dusit Devarana Jaipur; the Dusit Devarana Rishikesh; and another hotel in Goa for which details have yet to be finalised.
Octavio Gamarra, senior vicepresident of Dusit, said India's hospitality sector had great potential for growth because the country's economy has been growing strongly along with its huge population.
To enter India, Dusit set up Dusit Bird Hotels as a joint venture with Bird Hospitality Services (BHS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bird Group, one of India's largest conglomerates. Dusit International and BHS will each hold 50% of Dusit Bird Hotels.
"India has always been a key market for Dusit International. But expanding business in India is not easy. We need someone who is local to run the plan.We have found Harsh Varma, an Indianborn hotelier, to be in charge of Indian market," said Mr Gamarra.
"We believe that India is a potential market because it is growing continuously despite the present global economic atmosphere. Its domestic market is very good because there are so many highincome and middle-class people. Its economic growth attracts foreign investments as well," said Mr Varma.
Dusit will conduct marketing campaigns through local media such as magazines that suit its target groups. It may invite celebrities to stay at its hotels because they will convince other people to visit as well. The selection of celebrities will match the hotel image.
Dusit Bird Hotels is looking to bring the best of Asian hospitality to India before the Commonwealth Games in 2010. It expects a shortage of hotel rooms in India before the world's second-largest sporting event.
Dusit expects to manage at least 10 hotels in the next 10 years in India, said Mr Gamarra.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Travco gets bigger
The travel group Travco said on Thursday it had acquired Germany's Steigenberger Hotels as part of efforts to expand its international operations.
The Egyptian firm did not disclose a value for the deal, citing an agreement between the two family-owned firms.
Travco owns 43 hotels in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Steigenberger operates 81 hotels in Germany, Austria,Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands and Egypt.
The Egyptian firm did not disclose a value for the deal, citing an agreement between the two family-owned firms.
Travco owns 43 hotels in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Steigenberger operates 81 hotels in Germany, Austria,Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands and Egypt.
Moon cakes by moonlight
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the best known and most celebrated Chinese festivals the world over. This year, the festival falls on October 3 when the moon is at its maximum brightness for the entire year.
The festival signals that the year's hard work in the fields will soon come to an end, with only the harvest left to attend to. Chinese people use this opportunity to express their gratitude to heaven and earth for the blessings they have enjoyed over the past year, and the traditional pastry eaten during this time is the moon cake.
Moon cakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy on this occasion. They are offered between friends or on family gatherings while celebrating the festival. While in the past moon cakes took up to four weeks to make, the process has been speeded up considerably today thanks to modern bakery techniques and equipment.
Typical moon cakes are round or rectangular pastries, measuring about 10cm in diameter and 4-5cm in depth.A thick filling usually made from lotus seed paste is surrounded by a relatively thin crust and may contain yolks from salted duck eggs.
Today, moon cakes may be filled with everything from dates, nuts, and fruit while more exotic creations include green tea and snow skin moon cakes. Moon cakes are rich, heavy and dense compared with most Western cakes and pastries, and are usually eaten in small wedges accompanied by Chinese tea.
Given the difficulty in making them, most people prefer to purchase their moon cakes instead. In Bangkok,most leading hotels, Chinese restaurants and pastry shops are offering moon cakes with various fillings during this time.
At the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok,traditional moon cakes are offered from Aug 21-Oct 3. They are available in four flavours: custard paste, durian paste with egg yolk, white Chinese lotus paste with egg yolk and black sesame. They are priced 428 baht per box of eight pieces. If you order up to 50 boxes, you can have your personal wishing message and company logo on the box and also get free delivery within the Bangkok area.Call 02-659-9000.
At the Shangri-La Hotel, Shang Palace's chef Liu Ching Hai presents his new creations - cream and bird's nest mooncakes in snow skin and bale fruit mooncake, available from Sept 1-Oct 3. Traditional moon cakes with fillings of mixed fruit and nut paste, durian paste, lotus seed paste,red bean paste and cream paste are also available. They are available in sets of four, six or eight pieces in beautiful boxes (with a 15% discount when making a purchase of up to 50,000 baht, valid until Sept 30). Call 02-206-8605 or 02-236-7777.
At the Conrad Bangkok, Chinese chef Wong Kam-Yau has prepared moon cakes in eight flavours golden custard, red bean, light lotus seed, classic durian, mixed five nuts,chestnut, Chinese jujube and chocolate. They are available in various sizes with prices ranging from 289 to 570 baht for a normal box and 720 to 1,500 baht for a golden gift box, until Oct 3. A moon cake cooking class will also be conducted by chef Wong Kam-Yau on Sept 19 from 10amnoon. Call 02-690-9299.
At the Banyan Tree Bangkok, moon cakes are available in durian, lotus seeds, assorted nuts, red bean and custard flavours. They are presented in new tower boxes - four pieces for 649 baht net (149 baht net for a single piece). After consuming the moon cakes, the boxes serve as ideal storage for small items like jewellery, stationery, accessories, etc. Moon cakes are available at the hotel from Sept 1-Oct 3 and at The Emporium and Siam Paragon shopping malls from Sept 19-Oct 3. Call 02-679-1200.
At the Millennium Hilton, pastry chef Urs Rohrbach presents his moon cakes with innovative flavours including caramelised walnut, peaches and cream cheese, green tea cheese,dark chocolate with Grand Marnier and orange zest, red chocolate with pistachio and macadamia nuts, milk chocolate with caramel brulee, and white chocolate with caramelised hazelnuts. The price is 70 baht a piece or 280 baht for a four-piece box. Durian, lotus seed, red bean or mixed fruit and nuts versions are also available at 120 baht a piece or 480 baht a four-piece box. Moon cakes are available from Sept 1-Oct 3. Call 02-442-2000.
The festival signals that the year's hard work in the fields will soon come to an end, with only the harvest left to attend to. Chinese people use this opportunity to express their gratitude to heaven and earth for the blessings they have enjoyed over the past year, and the traditional pastry eaten during this time is the moon cake.
Moon cakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy on this occasion. They are offered between friends or on family gatherings while celebrating the festival. While in the past moon cakes took up to four weeks to make, the process has been speeded up considerably today thanks to modern bakery techniques and equipment.
Typical moon cakes are round or rectangular pastries, measuring about 10cm in diameter and 4-5cm in depth.A thick filling usually made from lotus seed paste is surrounded by a relatively thin crust and may contain yolks from salted duck eggs.
Today, moon cakes may be filled with everything from dates, nuts, and fruit while more exotic creations include green tea and snow skin moon cakes. Moon cakes are rich, heavy and dense compared with most Western cakes and pastries, and are usually eaten in small wedges accompanied by Chinese tea.
Given the difficulty in making them, most people prefer to purchase their moon cakes instead. In Bangkok,most leading hotels, Chinese restaurants and pastry shops are offering moon cakes with various fillings during this time.
At the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok,traditional moon cakes are offered from Aug 21-Oct 3. They are available in four flavours: custard paste, durian paste with egg yolk, white Chinese lotus paste with egg yolk and black sesame. They are priced 428 baht per box of eight pieces. If you order up to 50 boxes, you can have your personal wishing message and company logo on the box and also get free delivery within the Bangkok area.Call 02-659-9000.
At the Shangri-La Hotel, Shang Palace's chef Liu Ching Hai presents his new creations - cream and bird's nest mooncakes in snow skin and bale fruit mooncake, available from Sept 1-Oct 3. Traditional moon cakes with fillings of mixed fruit and nut paste, durian paste, lotus seed paste,red bean paste and cream paste are also available. They are available in sets of four, six or eight pieces in beautiful boxes (with a 15% discount when making a purchase of up to 50,000 baht, valid until Sept 30). Call 02-206-8605 or 02-236-7777.
At the Conrad Bangkok, Chinese chef Wong Kam-Yau has prepared moon cakes in eight flavours golden custard, red bean, light lotus seed, classic durian, mixed five nuts,chestnut, Chinese jujube and chocolate. They are available in various sizes with prices ranging from 289 to 570 baht for a normal box and 720 to 1,500 baht for a golden gift box, until Oct 3. A moon cake cooking class will also be conducted by chef Wong Kam-Yau on Sept 19 from 10amnoon. Call 02-690-9299.
At the Banyan Tree Bangkok, moon cakes are available in durian, lotus seeds, assorted nuts, red bean and custard flavours. They are presented in new tower boxes - four pieces for 649 baht net (149 baht net for a single piece). After consuming the moon cakes, the boxes serve as ideal storage for small items like jewellery, stationery, accessories, etc. Moon cakes are available at the hotel from Sept 1-Oct 3 and at The Emporium and Siam Paragon shopping malls from Sept 19-Oct 3. Call 02-679-1200.
At the Millennium Hilton, pastry chef Urs Rohrbach presents his moon cakes with innovative flavours including caramelised walnut, peaches and cream cheese, green tea cheese,dark chocolate with Grand Marnier and orange zest, red chocolate with pistachio and macadamia nuts, milk chocolate with caramel brulee, and white chocolate with caramelised hazelnuts. The price is 70 baht a piece or 280 baht for a four-piece box. Durian, lotus seed, red bean or mixed fruit and nuts versions are also available at 120 baht a piece or 480 baht a four-piece box. Moon cakes are available from Sept 1-Oct 3. Call 02-442-2000.
THE MARKETING MAESTRO
WHAT IS PROJECT MAHANAKHON?
Project MahaNakhon, when finished in 2012,will be a 77-storey multi-unit development that will feature a hotel, retail centre and Ritz-Carlton residences. At 313 metres, it will be the tallest building in Thailand.
DOES BANGKOK NEED ANOTHER TALL BUILDING?
Every great city needs great architecture. A striking city needs good design, whether it's small shops or tall skyscrapers, so this building will hopefully improve the overall design of the city. All the vacant land in Bangkok is taken up and while the demand to live in the city increases, the supply decreases, leaving people to build upwards.
IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO START SUCH AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT GIVEN THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY?
Bigger projects have been commissioned in darker times. The Empire State Building was built during the American Great Depression.It was a symbol of hope in the darkest of times for America. I'm not trying to say that we are building an Empire State building but Project MahaNakhon will be a symbol of optimism and hope in our dark times too.
YOU HOST AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWS PROGRAMME. DO YOU THINK THAT THERE IS A GLASS CEILING FOR ENGLISHSPEAKING HOSTS IN THAILAND?
It's difficult to say. Given that English is a minority language most people would opt for the local language when it comes to issues such as politics, religion and gossip. Being a Thai-language host allows you to touch on more subjects but on the flip side, English is a more direct language, allowing people to be less concerned about heirarchy and more equal around each other. With Guru for example, if you guys wrote in Thai you would probably have to dress your stuff down but because you write in English things can be read in a certain way and be more direct. If I could I would be a Thai news reporter, but my Thai is not good enough. I have been asked twice but I don't feel confident enough in my Thai.
YOU'RE HALF KIWI. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SHEEP?
People think that because there are 20 sheep to every person in New Zealand that everyone must have 20 pet sheep in their house. It'd be almost like all foreigners to Thailand thinking that all Thai people know how to do is grow rice, fight muay Thai and ride buffalo. Actually, us city folk dont know anything about sheep. I've only seen sheep like... um... obviously I see them all the time [laughs]! But I've only ever seen sheep at really close quarters a few times, when I was a kid. They smell and aren't nearly as cute as you would think. They are kind of stinky and pretty disgusting. It's a love/hate relationship with sheep. Tourists usually come to New Zealand and say on the first day,"Wow I'm so excited there are so many sheep!" Second day,"Oh jeez, there are quite a lot of sheep."Third day,"F****in' sheep, again, can you show me something else?"
Project MahaNakhon, when finished in 2012,will be a 77-storey multi-unit development that will feature a hotel, retail centre and Ritz-Carlton residences. At 313 metres, it will be the tallest building in Thailand.
DOES BANGKOK NEED ANOTHER TALL BUILDING?
Every great city needs great architecture. A striking city needs good design, whether it's small shops or tall skyscrapers, so this building will hopefully improve the overall design of the city. All the vacant land in Bangkok is taken up and while the demand to live in the city increases, the supply decreases, leaving people to build upwards.
IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO START SUCH AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT GIVEN THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY?
Bigger projects have been commissioned in darker times. The Empire State Building was built during the American Great Depression.It was a symbol of hope in the darkest of times for America. I'm not trying to say that we are building an Empire State building but Project MahaNakhon will be a symbol of optimism and hope in our dark times too.
YOU HOST AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWS PROGRAMME. DO YOU THINK THAT THERE IS A GLASS CEILING FOR ENGLISHSPEAKING HOSTS IN THAILAND?
It's difficult to say. Given that English is a minority language most people would opt for the local language when it comes to issues such as politics, religion and gossip. Being a Thai-language host allows you to touch on more subjects but on the flip side, English is a more direct language, allowing people to be less concerned about heirarchy and more equal around each other. With Guru for example, if you guys wrote in Thai you would probably have to dress your stuff down but because you write in English things can be read in a certain way and be more direct. If I could I would be a Thai news reporter, but my Thai is not good enough. I have been asked twice but I don't feel confident enough in my Thai.
YOU'RE HALF KIWI. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SHEEP?
People think that because there are 20 sheep to every person in New Zealand that everyone must have 20 pet sheep in their house. It'd be almost like all foreigners to Thailand thinking that all Thai people know how to do is grow rice, fight muay Thai and ride buffalo. Actually, us city folk dont know anything about sheep. I've only seen sheep like... um... obviously I see them all the time [laughs]! But I've only ever seen sheep at really close quarters a few times, when I was a kid. They smell and aren't nearly as cute as you would think. They are kind of stinky and pretty disgusting. It's a love/hate relationship with sheep. Tourists usually come to New Zealand and say on the first day,"Wow I'm so excited there are so many sheep!" Second day,"Oh jeez, there are quite a lot of sheep."Third day,"F****in' sheep, again, can you show me something else?"
Dusit braces for decline in revenue
Dusit International, a leading Thai hospitality chain, will review its 2009 revenue growth target after seeing a worse-thanexpected performance in the first half.
The company earlier forecast zero growth but now believes revenue could fall in 2009.
Dusit's performance would not differ from that of other hotels, said Octavio Gamarra, the group's senior vicepresident.
Thailand's tourism industry has been sluggish since the airport closures by political protesters late last year.
"It is a very difficult time for hoteliers.I have never faced a situation like this in a decade. Actually, I think the situation started showing some improvement in March but the collapse of the Asean Summit (in April) did worsen tourism,"he said.
In the first half, Dusit reported a net loss of 67 million baht on revenue of 1.43 billion. This compared with a net profit of 242 million baht on revenue of 2.03 billion in the same period of the year before.
In the second quarter, it lost 92 million baht on revenue of 624 million. This compares with a net profit of 131 million baht on revenue of 1.03 billion in the same period of 2008.
Losses were aggravated by the global financial crisis from late last year and the emergence of H1N1 flu.
But Dusit has some bookings for September and October, said Mr Gamarra.He therefore expects the situation to pick up in the rest of the year, unless the political situation deteriorates.
From May to June, average hotel occupancy was less than 40%, compared with 70-72% in a normal year, he said.The company has cut its average room rate by about 12% to resolve the problem.
Dusit has also focused heavily on new markets like the Middle East, India and China.
The Middle East is becoming an important market for Dusit, said Mr Gamarra. The number of travellers from the region will continue to increase and the company is aiming an expansion plan at the market, he said.
"Tourists from the Middle East will help fill up our properties during the low season. Besides, India and Indonesia are also big markets, not only for Dusit but also for other Thai hoteliers, because their economies have continued to grow amid the global economic crisis," he said.
Dusit will open three properties in the Middle East and one in New Delhi by 2010. It also plans to export its brands to Europe and North America.
Shares of Dusit Thani closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 26.50 baht, up 25 satang, in trade worth 34,000 baht.
The company earlier forecast zero growth but now believes revenue could fall in 2009.
Dusit's performance would not differ from that of other hotels, said Octavio Gamarra, the group's senior vicepresident.
Thailand's tourism industry has been sluggish since the airport closures by political protesters late last year.
"It is a very difficult time for hoteliers.I have never faced a situation like this in a decade. Actually, I think the situation started showing some improvement in March but the collapse of the Asean Summit (in April) did worsen tourism,"he said.
In the first half, Dusit reported a net loss of 67 million baht on revenue of 1.43 billion. This compared with a net profit of 242 million baht on revenue of 2.03 billion in the same period of the year before.
In the second quarter, it lost 92 million baht on revenue of 624 million. This compares with a net profit of 131 million baht on revenue of 1.03 billion in the same period of 2008.
Losses were aggravated by the global financial crisis from late last year and the emergence of H1N1 flu.
But Dusit has some bookings for September and October, said Mr Gamarra.He therefore expects the situation to pick up in the rest of the year, unless the political situation deteriorates.
From May to June, average hotel occupancy was less than 40%, compared with 70-72% in a normal year, he said.The company has cut its average room rate by about 12% to resolve the problem.
Dusit has also focused heavily on new markets like the Middle East, India and China.
The Middle East is becoming an important market for Dusit, said Mr Gamarra. The number of travellers from the region will continue to increase and the company is aiming an expansion plan at the market, he said.
"Tourists from the Middle East will help fill up our properties during the low season. Besides, India and Indonesia are also big markets, not only for Dusit but also for other Thai hoteliers, because their economies have continued to grow amid the global economic crisis," he said.
Dusit will open three properties in the Middle East and one in New Delhi by 2010. It also plans to export its brands to Europe and North America.
Shares of Dusit Thani closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 26.50 baht, up 25 satang, in trade worth 34,000 baht.
TCC LAND TO ACQUIRE LUXURY HOTEL IN JAPAN FOR $100M
TCC Land, the property arm of beverage tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, is moving to acquire a luxury hotel in Japan worth nearly US$100 million (Bt3.4 billion) after freezing all expansion plans early this year due to the economic situation.
"We're under negotiation for the hotel and should conclude the deal in the last quarter of the year. This is the second overseas deal this year after the purchase of a hotel in New Zealand worth nearly Bt1 billion early in the year," director Wallapa Trisorat said yesterday.
The company has decided to resurrect its investment plans, both foreign and local, in the belief that the global and domestic economies are recovering, she said.
It is also encouraged by the return of foreign partners who earlier this year decided to scrap their investment plans in Thailand.
The property projects include a service industrial estate in Cha-am, an integrated property development on Kaset-Nawamin Road and a multipurpose centre in Ayutthaya.
Driving domestic investment are the successful presales of Villa Ratchathevee's second phase last quarter, she added.
Soammaphat Traisorat, another director, said TCC Land also plans to open bookings for its condominium project on Phetchaburi Road in November or December to take advantage of the future opening of the Airport Rail Link.
TCC Land's retail arm, Thippatana Arcade, which manages Pantip Plaza in Bangkok and Chiang Mai as well as Digital Gateway@CentrePoint, is budgeting for additional investment of up to Bt2.4 billion for this year and next.
About Bt2 billion is for building a Digital Gateway in Ekamai on a 7-rai site leased for 30 years from the Thai Red Cross Society, said Wisanu Wangwisut, managing director of Thippatana Arcade.
The rest is for renovating the two Pantip Plaza outlets and developing a third Pantip Plaza in Bang Kapi for Bt300 million-Bt400 million.
The opening of the Bt500-million Digital Gateway@CentrePoint yesterday and Pantip Plaza Bang Kapi next month will increase the group's IT retail space to 248,000 square metres. The Digital Gateway investment takes the overall figure to nearly Bt3 billion.
Rental income this year could reach Bt500 million, Wisanu added.
Digital Gateway, with 8,000 square metres, now charges Bt3,000 per square metre in monthly rent and is fully occupied.
"We're under negotiation for the hotel and should conclude the deal in the last quarter of the year. This is the second overseas deal this year after the purchase of a hotel in New Zealand worth nearly Bt1 billion early in the year," director Wallapa Trisorat said yesterday.
The company has decided to resurrect its investment plans, both foreign and local, in the belief that the global and domestic economies are recovering, she said.
It is also encouraged by the return of foreign partners who earlier this year decided to scrap their investment plans in Thailand.
The property projects include a service industrial estate in Cha-am, an integrated property development on Kaset-Nawamin Road and a multipurpose centre in Ayutthaya.
Driving domestic investment are the successful presales of Villa Ratchathevee's second phase last quarter, she added.
Soammaphat Traisorat, another director, said TCC Land also plans to open bookings for its condominium project on Phetchaburi Road in November or December to take advantage of the future opening of the Airport Rail Link.
TCC Land's retail arm, Thippatana Arcade, which manages Pantip Plaza in Bangkok and Chiang Mai as well as Digital Gateway@CentrePoint, is budgeting for additional investment of up to Bt2.4 billion for this year and next.
About Bt2 billion is for building a Digital Gateway in Ekamai on a 7-rai site leased for 30 years from the Thai Red Cross Society, said Wisanu Wangwisut, managing director of Thippatana Arcade.
The rest is for renovating the two Pantip Plaza outlets and developing a third Pantip Plaza in Bang Kapi for Bt300 million-Bt400 million.
The opening of the Bt500-million Digital Gateway@CentrePoint yesterday and Pantip Plaza Bang Kapi next month will increase the group's IT retail space to 248,000 square metres. The Digital Gateway investment takes the overall figure to nearly Bt3 billion.
Rental income this year could reach Bt500 million, Wisanu added.
Digital Gateway, with 8,000 square metres, now charges Bt3,000 per square metre in monthly rent and is fully occupied.
Dharma direct
Cultivating mindfulness is still possible in a hectic urban lifestyle
Story by SIRINYA WATTANASUKCHAI
Find a place that puts your mind and body at peace, and practise
"Phra Rajchapatiphanmuni Assistant abbot of Wat Prayurawongse
" How could I completely change in just a few days? Patty Lerdwittayaskul Practitioner
Dressed in business attire, Patty Lerdwittayaskul entered her riverside hotel room on a Friday afternoon in February to find a room without a fluffy king-size bed as indicated in the hotel brochure. Surprisingly, Patty didn't complain, and even seemed satisfied with the odd arrangement.
After all, this wasn't her usual weekend break, a point underscored by her all-white outfits in her overnight bag, and absence of her usual cosmetic pack. Patty, a marketing communications manager for an international hotel management chain by profession, had been seeking a vipassana course to attend for the past year.
"I could never tolerate the shared bathroom with dozens of practitioners at the temple," says the young executive in her early thirties who's used to the city lifestyle and modern facilities at home and in her office surroundings. She applied for the course and requested the bed be removed to meet the eight precepts, which include refraining from sleeping on a comfortable bed, all forms of entertainment and wearing make-up.
A part of the Montien Tham project, the vipassana course is designed especially for people like Patty,urbanites who wish to practise vipassana without leaving their lifestyles behind. The programme features morning and evening prayers, walking meditation by the river and dharma talks by Phra Rajchapatiphanmuni, assistant abbot of Wat Prayurawongse - all held in a peaceful, air-conditioned function room of a hotel.
This is a new approach to dharma for urban people. In the past, Buddhist practitioners comprising mostly elderly people - learned dharma only from the monks in the temples. Instead of waiting until retirement, people are now absorbing dharma into their everyday lives as the content has not only been simplified but also become more easily accessible in the form of print and sound.
After the vipassana course, Patty listens to dharma talks from CDs in her car. Busakorn Onpradit,marketing director for Thai Edible Oil Co Ltd, studies it from books, while others turn on the TV, visit dharma websites, or download dharma talks onto their MP3 players or mobile phones to listen to during the day, or on the bus.
Phra Rajchapatiphanmuni says many Buddhists are too attached to the conventional way: Going to the temple wearing white - the symbol of purity - listening to dharma and practicing vipassana.The assistant abbot says people in ancient India enjoyed a sermon by the Buddha in the heart of Delhi.
The new approach of dharma is to cultivate mindfulness in order that practitioners can be mindful of their every thought and action. Studying dharma and practicing vipassana can be done elsewhere: A religious or non-religious institution, a hotel, an office or at home.
"Find a place that puts your mind and body at peace, and practise," says the assistant abbot. Practising vipassana in a hotel can put city people at ease and increases their willingness to learn things,he says. There's no point in forcing them to live in the simple confinements of a temple or surrounded by nature if they are used to the luxury of modern facilities."They will never learn a thing in a forced situation." People will eventually come back to the temple when they feel comfortable.
Dharma has therefore become more easily accessible for all, especially urban dwellers who are often viewed as loose religious practitioners.Excuses such as lack of time and bad traffic are not applicable. Dharma talks and evening prayers can be held in the heart of the city. Turn on the TV and a new generation of monks are communicating with simpler messages. Or just check your SMS:Dharma content is being delivered direct into mobile phones.
Busakorn started practicing vipassana 10 years ago out of curiosity. Since then, the mindfulness she learned from the different courses at religious institutions and temples has kept her sane in the secular world. She's been enjoying books and talks elsewhere, in and outside the temples.
Believers are opening to the fact that dharma can be discussed everywhere, not just in temples.Kalind Surawong Bunnag once discussed dharma with Christians and Muslims in a church."So why not in my hotel?" he queried.
The Tawantham project was launched three years ago at Tawana Hotel for people in the Surawong area to attend evening prayers, every first and third Monday without being stuck in the evening rush hour. Many hotels in the area have followed suit.
In the past decade, DMG CEO Danai Chanchaochai has held dharma talks in his Buddhakaya meeting room every Monday and Wednesday evening. All these talks cater to the urban demand, says Danai.
The urban craving for dharma has become visible during the past several years.
Half of the best-selling books in Thailand are basic and applied dharma. Having earned success with his business how-to books in 2003, Danai's best-seller turned out to be Sia-dai Khon Tai Mai Dai Arn (What a Shame the Dead Can't Read It) by Dungtrin, which topped the best-seller list for four years and is now in its 43rd edition. Amarin Dharma Books has released dozens of books on basic and applied dharma during the past five years.
The craving for dharma is the mixed result of a faster pace of life and stress from the declining global economy, says comparative religion lecturer Tavivat Puntarigvivat at Mahidol University.
Unlike people of the past generation, who sought nirvana through vipassana practice, people today are happy to seek moments of peace and serenity in their chaotic life.
Financial stress often forces people to seek moral support, and many of them are lured into black magic.
Tavivat points out dependency on the supernatural reaches a high only when the economy and spirit of the people falls low.
The Phra Suphan Kalaya phenomenon emerged during the Tom Yum Kung crisis, while the Jatukham Ramathep amulets became a hit a few years ago.
The new economic crisis is here, the lecturer says; fortune-tellers are making a fortune from people who are made to believe that their bad karma from past deeds in a previous life can be discontinued by certain rituals.
"People are willing to pay for any possible solutions when they come to a dead-end, although it's a science of the ignorant," says Tavivat. Karma is only a consequence of the previous deed.
Patty believes so. She does not expect to attain nirvana or become a nun after her three-day vipassana at the riverside hotel, but expects to cultivate mindfulness."How could I completely change in just a few days?"
But even before the second course at the same hotel begins next week, Patty has learned how to spend a few peaceful moments with herself something she never knew before - and how to let go of things. She has begun to visit temples and make donations.
The donations support the religion and the religion supports the people, keeping them balanced.
Phra Rajchapatiphanmuni is glad to hear this;his mission is complete.
His weekly trips to the hotels to preach to urbanites not only help keep them at peace but also brings them back to the temples.
Story by SIRINYA WATTANASUKCHAI
Find a place that puts your mind and body at peace, and practise
"Phra Rajchapatiphanmuni Assistant abbot of Wat Prayurawongse
" How could I completely change in just a few days? Patty Lerdwittayaskul Practitioner
Dressed in business attire, Patty Lerdwittayaskul entered her riverside hotel room on a Friday afternoon in February to find a room without a fluffy king-size bed as indicated in the hotel brochure. Surprisingly, Patty didn't complain, and even seemed satisfied with the odd arrangement.
After all, this wasn't her usual weekend break, a point underscored by her all-white outfits in her overnight bag, and absence of her usual cosmetic pack. Patty, a marketing communications manager for an international hotel management chain by profession, had been seeking a vipassana course to attend for the past year.
"I could never tolerate the shared bathroom with dozens of practitioners at the temple," says the young executive in her early thirties who's used to the city lifestyle and modern facilities at home and in her office surroundings. She applied for the course and requested the bed be removed to meet the eight precepts, which include refraining from sleeping on a comfortable bed, all forms of entertainment and wearing make-up.
A part of the Montien Tham project, the vipassana course is designed especially for people like Patty,urbanites who wish to practise vipassana without leaving their lifestyles behind. The programme features morning and evening prayers, walking meditation by the river and dharma talks by Phra Rajchapatiphanmuni, assistant abbot of Wat Prayurawongse - all held in a peaceful, air-conditioned function room of a hotel.
This is a new approach to dharma for urban people. In the past, Buddhist practitioners comprising mostly elderly people - learned dharma only from the monks in the temples. Instead of waiting until retirement, people are now absorbing dharma into their everyday lives as the content has not only been simplified but also become more easily accessible in the form of print and sound.
After the vipassana course, Patty listens to dharma talks from CDs in her car. Busakorn Onpradit,marketing director for Thai Edible Oil Co Ltd, studies it from books, while others turn on the TV, visit dharma websites, or download dharma talks onto their MP3 players or mobile phones to listen to during the day, or on the bus.
Phra Rajchapatiphanmuni says many Buddhists are too attached to the conventional way: Going to the temple wearing white - the symbol of purity - listening to dharma and practicing vipassana.The assistant abbot says people in ancient India enjoyed a sermon by the Buddha in the heart of Delhi.
The new approach of dharma is to cultivate mindfulness in order that practitioners can be mindful of their every thought and action. Studying dharma and practicing vipassana can be done elsewhere: A religious or non-religious institution, a hotel, an office or at home.
"Find a place that puts your mind and body at peace, and practise," says the assistant abbot. Practising vipassana in a hotel can put city people at ease and increases their willingness to learn things,he says. There's no point in forcing them to live in the simple confinements of a temple or surrounded by nature if they are used to the luxury of modern facilities."They will never learn a thing in a forced situation." People will eventually come back to the temple when they feel comfortable.
Dharma has therefore become more easily accessible for all, especially urban dwellers who are often viewed as loose religious practitioners.Excuses such as lack of time and bad traffic are not applicable. Dharma talks and evening prayers can be held in the heart of the city. Turn on the TV and a new generation of monks are communicating with simpler messages. Or just check your SMS:Dharma content is being delivered direct into mobile phones.
Busakorn started practicing vipassana 10 years ago out of curiosity. Since then, the mindfulness she learned from the different courses at religious institutions and temples has kept her sane in the secular world. She's been enjoying books and talks elsewhere, in and outside the temples.
Believers are opening to the fact that dharma can be discussed everywhere, not just in temples.Kalind Surawong Bunnag once discussed dharma with Christians and Muslims in a church."So why not in my hotel?" he queried.
The Tawantham project was launched three years ago at Tawana Hotel for people in the Surawong area to attend evening prayers, every first and third Monday without being stuck in the evening rush hour. Many hotels in the area have followed suit.
In the past decade, DMG CEO Danai Chanchaochai has held dharma talks in his Buddhakaya meeting room every Monday and Wednesday evening. All these talks cater to the urban demand, says Danai.
The urban craving for dharma has become visible during the past several years.
Half of the best-selling books in Thailand are basic and applied dharma. Having earned success with his business how-to books in 2003, Danai's best-seller turned out to be Sia-dai Khon Tai Mai Dai Arn (What a Shame the Dead Can't Read It) by Dungtrin, which topped the best-seller list for four years and is now in its 43rd edition. Amarin Dharma Books has released dozens of books on basic and applied dharma during the past five years.
The craving for dharma is the mixed result of a faster pace of life and stress from the declining global economy, says comparative religion lecturer Tavivat Puntarigvivat at Mahidol University.
Unlike people of the past generation, who sought nirvana through vipassana practice, people today are happy to seek moments of peace and serenity in their chaotic life.
Financial stress often forces people to seek moral support, and many of them are lured into black magic.
Tavivat points out dependency on the supernatural reaches a high only when the economy and spirit of the people falls low.
The Phra Suphan Kalaya phenomenon emerged during the Tom Yum Kung crisis, while the Jatukham Ramathep amulets became a hit a few years ago.
The new economic crisis is here, the lecturer says; fortune-tellers are making a fortune from people who are made to believe that their bad karma from past deeds in a previous life can be discontinued by certain rituals.
"People are willing to pay for any possible solutions when they come to a dead-end, although it's a science of the ignorant," says Tavivat. Karma is only a consequence of the previous deed.
Patty believes so. She does not expect to attain nirvana or become a nun after her three-day vipassana at the riverside hotel, but expects to cultivate mindfulness."How could I completely change in just a few days?"
But even before the second course at the same hotel begins next week, Patty has learned how to spend a few peaceful moments with herself something she never knew before - and how to let go of things. She has begun to visit temples and make donations.
The donations support the religion and the religion supports the people, keeping them balanced.
Phra Rajchapatiphanmuni is glad to hear this;his mission is complete.
His weekly trips to the hotels to preach to urbanites not only help keep them at peace but also brings them back to the temples.
Hotel slump may last two years
Average occupancy at Bangkok's highend hotels will remain anaemic at about 50% to 60% for the next two years, says Jones Lang Lasalle Hotels.
Bangkok has registered the most significant decline in average hotel occupancies across Asia, with the five-star segment contracting by 33.3% year-onyear in the first half.
The global hotel investment services firm forecast occupancy rates at the city's four- and five-star hotels of between the low-50% and low-60% range over the next two years. Any recovery relies entirely on their being sufficient numbers of visitors to absorb new hotel supply.
About 7,154 new international standard hotel rooms, representing an 11.2%increase in the Bangkok's total room supply, will come online within 2011.Of the total,50.7% is in the four-star segment, with the remaining supply evenly spread between three and five-star categories, said JLL.
Weak international arrivals and an oversupply of rooms will create a very challenging environment from now until 2012, said the firm.
Hotel developers will focus more on internationally branded and managed three-star limited service hotels, said Andrew Langdon, senior vice-president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in Thailand.
Average year-to-date occupancy rates for the five-star segment was 46.5%, down 23.4% year-on-year. Average daily rate (ADR) declined by 9.8% year-on-year,to 5,175 baht per room per night, with revenue per available room (RevPar) was down 39.7% to 2,430 baht.
Four-star hotel average occupancy dropped to 50.8%, down by 20.5% yearon-year, with ADR contracting by 10.5%to 2,729 baht per room per night, with RevPar falling by 36.2% to 1,387 baht.
Bangkok has registered the biggest decline in hotel occupancy in Asia, for the year up to June. The five-star segment contracted by 33.3% and the four-star by 28.8%. However, the decline in local average room rates appears to have eased when compared to the 20% and larger drops witnessed in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Beijing and Shanghai.
The combination of ongoing domestic political uncertainty, the strengthening Thai baht and the global downturn has contributed to the 21.2% year-on-year decline of Bangkok's international visitor arrivals.
The company projected hotel financing from Thai banks will remain challenging due to stricter lending criteria.However, a number of Thai groups have started investing in attractively-priced hotel properties
outside of Thailand over the past 12 months. The firm expects this trend to continue into the second half.
Bangkok has registered the most significant decline in average hotel occupancies across Asia, with the five-star segment contracting by 33.3% year-onyear in the first half.
The global hotel investment services firm forecast occupancy rates at the city's four- and five-star hotels of between the low-50% and low-60% range over the next two years. Any recovery relies entirely on their being sufficient numbers of visitors to absorb new hotel supply.
About 7,154 new international standard hotel rooms, representing an 11.2%increase in the Bangkok's total room supply, will come online within 2011.Of the total,50.7% is in the four-star segment, with the remaining supply evenly spread between three and five-star categories, said JLL.
Weak international arrivals and an oversupply of rooms will create a very challenging environment from now until 2012, said the firm.
Hotel developers will focus more on internationally branded and managed three-star limited service hotels, said Andrew Langdon, senior vice-president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in Thailand.
Average year-to-date occupancy rates for the five-star segment was 46.5%, down 23.4% year-on-year. Average daily rate (ADR) declined by 9.8% year-on-year,to 5,175 baht per room per night, with revenue per available room (RevPar) was down 39.7% to 2,430 baht.
Four-star hotel average occupancy dropped to 50.8%, down by 20.5% yearon-year, with ADR contracting by 10.5%to 2,729 baht per room per night, with RevPar falling by 36.2% to 1,387 baht.
Bangkok has registered the biggest decline in hotel occupancy in Asia, for the year up to June. The five-star segment contracted by 33.3% and the four-star by 28.8%. However, the decline in local average room rates appears to have eased when compared to the 20% and larger drops witnessed in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Beijing and Shanghai.
The combination of ongoing domestic political uncertainty, the strengthening Thai baht and the global downturn has contributed to the 21.2% year-on-year decline of Bangkok's international visitor arrivals.
The company projected hotel financing from Thai banks will remain challenging due to stricter lending criteria.However, a number of Thai groups have started investing in attractively-priced hotel properties
outside of Thailand over the past 12 months. The firm expects this trend to continue into the second half.
MBK HASTENS PATHUMWAN PRINCESS RENOVATION
MBK is speeding up the Bt500-million renovation project for its 462-room Pathumwan Princess Hotel so it is ready to receive the rising number of tourists expected by the end of the year.
Suvait Theeravachirakul, president and CEO of MBK, which operates the MBK shopping centre and the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, said the local tourism sector - particularly hotels - had been impacted heavily by several negative factors this year, especially the type-A (H1N1) influenza, which has been keeping tourists away.
"The hotel is only running at a 70-per-cent occupancy rate, which is a significant drop from the more than 80-per-cent occupancy last year. However, we want to use this slowdown as an opportunity to renovate the property so it is ready for the expected recovery of the economy and the return of tourists," Suvait said.
For the 2009/2010 fiscal year, MBK plans to allocate Bt2 billion for its ongoing projects, including the Bt800-million community mall on Rama IX Road, previously the Premier Rama 9 commercial complex; a hotel on Koh Samui; and a housing project in Pathum Thani.
However, MBK will be more cautious in developing these projects and take it step by step.
Earlier this year, MBK announced that it was halving its expansion budget for this year and focusing on other investments instead. The move was aimed at coping with the economic slowdown, which has been adversely affecting the company's hotel and tourism businesses.
The company is postponing its remaining projects worth about Bt2 billion until next year, such as a 60-unit five-star hotel in Phuket and an 80-unit villa resort hotel in Samui.
"Over the past two months, we have seen more tourists returning to Thailand and are quite optimistic about the coming high season. We expect hotels to enjoy at least 90-per-cent occupancy," Suvait said.
Suvait Theeravachirakul, president and CEO of MBK, which operates the MBK shopping centre and the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, said the local tourism sector - particularly hotels - had been impacted heavily by several negative factors this year, especially the type-A (H1N1) influenza, which has been keeping tourists away.
"The hotel is only running at a 70-per-cent occupancy rate, which is a significant drop from the more than 80-per-cent occupancy last year. However, we want to use this slowdown as an opportunity to renovate the property so it is ready for the expected recovery of the economy and the return of tourists," Suvait said.
For the 2009/2010 fiscal year, MBK plans to allocate Bt2 billion for its ongoing projects, including the Bt800-million community mall on Rama IX Road, previously the Premier Rama 9 commercial complex; a hotel on Koh Samui; and a housing project in Pathum Thani.
However, MBK will be more cautious in developing these projects and take it step by step.
Earlier this year, MBK announced that it was halving its expansion budget for this year and focusing on other investments instead. The move was aimed at coping with the economic slowdown, which has been adversely affecting the company's hotel and tourism businesses.
The company is postponing its remaining projects worth about Bt2 billion until next year, such as a 60-unit five-star hotel in Phuket and an 80-unit villa resort hotel in Samui.
"Over the past two months, we have seen more tourists returning to Thailand and are quite optimistic about the coming high season. We expect hotels to enjoy at least 90-per-cent occupancy," Suvait said.
Five-star Bangkok hotel's occupancy down 33%
Among major Asian markets, Bangkok registered the most significant decline in hotel occupancy in the first half of the year, with the five-star segment at minus 28.8 per cent.
However, the fall in average room rates appeared to have eased when compared to teh decreases of 20 per cent and more witnessed in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and Shanghai, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' latest Hotel Market Intelligence seriies, which focuses on the Bangkok hotel and tourism market.
Rate pressure is being placed across all hotel segments and in particular properties with larger room inventory. Hotels in Bangkok are reporting performance levels last seen in 1996 and 1997, and the situation is being echoed by other hotel markets in Asia.
"The combination of the ongoing domestic political uncertainty, the strengthening baht and the golbal economic deterioration has contributed to the 21.2-per-cent year-on-year decline in Bangkok's international visitor arrivals,"said Andrew Langdon, senior vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in Thailand.
"We edxpect Bangkok's hotel and tourism industry to remain extremely challenging in the short term, as global as well as Asian hotel markets weather through the prevailing global financial storm. In the medium to long term, we remain positive on Bangkok's hotel and tourism outlook. Occupancy in the four-and five-star hotel segments is forecast to stay in the low-50-per-cent to low-60-per-cent range respectively over the next two years, with recovery in occupancy subject entirely to growing levels of visitor demand in order to absorb new hotel supply," he said.
However, the fall in average room rates appeared to have eased when compared to teh decreases of 20 per cent and more witnessed in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and Shanghai, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' latest Hotel Market Intelligence seriies, which focuses on the Bangkok hotel and tourism market.
Rate pressure is being placed across all hotel segments and in particular properties with larger room inventory. Hotels in Bangkok are reporting performance levels last seen in 1996 and 1997, and the situation is being echoed by other hotel markets in Asia.
"The combination of the ongoing domestic political uncertainty, the strengthening baht and the golbal economic deterioration has contributed to the 21.2-per-cent year-on-year decline in Bangkok's international visitor arrivals,"said Andrew Langdon, senior vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in Thailand.
"We edxpect Bangkok's hotel and tourism industry to remain extremely challenging in the short term, as global as well as Asian hotel markets weather through the prevailing global financial storm. In the medium to long term, we remain positive on Bangkok's hotel and tourism outlook. Occupancy in the four-and five-star hotel segments is forecast to stay in the low-50-per-cent to low-60-per-cent range respectively over the next two years, with recovery in occupancy subject entirely to growing levels of visitor demand in order to absorb new hotel supply," he said.
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