Dusit International Introduces New Hotel Brand for ‘Millennial-Minded’ Travellers

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Dusit International, one of Thailand’s foremost hotel and property development companies, has introduced ASAI Hotels, a distinctive new brand designed to link curious, millennial-minded travellers with authentic local experiences in vibrant cities and resort destinations worldwide.

Set to officially launch in Q1 2019 with its first hotel in Bangkok’s renowned Chatuchak Market, ASAI Hotels embraces a sustainable, community-focused concept, with each property designed to reflect the culture and heritage of its location through collaborations with local artisans.

In line with the four core pillars of the brand – Thoughtful Essentials, Common Areas, Locally Inspired and Connected Community – each hotel will feature compact rooms (approximately 15 sq m), whose contemporary design will emphasize key features like superior quality beds and high pressure rain showers. A large mixed-use space, meanwhile, will include a cosy and efficient work space, a leisure area, and a restaurant concept curated by local chefs who champion sustainability.

In the upcoming Chatuchak hotel, which is the only hotel to be located within the world-famous market, this includes an eatery developed by Bangkok-based chefs and restaurateurs, Jarrett Wrisley and Paolo Vitaletti, whose own restaurants, Soul Food Mahanakorn and Appia, are renowned for their sustainable approach to cooking. Their menu at ASAI Chatuchak will highlight produce from Thailand’s Royal Projects.

Superior quality beds and high pressure rain showers come as standard at ASAI

HUB - the mixed-use space where guests and locals can eat, work and play

First floor bar concept image

Each ASAI hotel worldwide will leverage technology to streamline the booking and stay experience. This includes the implementation of self check-in kiosks, and exclusive online guides that link guests with authentic local experiences and lesser-known, but Instagram-worthy, attractions. ASAI will also link with selected local online start-ups, such as TakeMeTour in Thailand, to offer personalised excursions.

Staff at each property will be hired for personality as much as experience, and they will very much be the face of the brand, expected to be passionate about their neighbourhoods and always ready to share their knowledge with guests.

Alongside ASAI Chatuchak, five more properties are already confirmed in the pipeline. This includes three ASAI Hotels in Cebu, Philippines (in Lapu-Lapu, Oslob, and the city centre); one hotel in Yangon, Myanmar (in the historic Yankin Township); and a second hotel in Bangkok (in the stylish Sathorn district). All are expected to open throughout 2019.

ASAI Hotels’ management team hopes to secure over 10 properties in the pipeline by the end of the year across Southeast Asia and Japan. This includes owned and joint venture properties as well as properties under Hotel Management Agreements. Australia, Europe and Central America are also on the radar for potential projects.

“Inspired by community, and driven by sustainability, ASAI is an exciting new concept for Dusit that will leverage the company’s 70 years of hospitality heritage to deliver a new kind of stay experience in vibrant neighbourhoods worldwide,” said Mr Siradej Donavanik, Managing Director of Asai Holdings Co., Ltd., Dusit International. “The brand has been carefully crafted to meet the needs of millennial-minded travellers who seek authentic local experiences, and who appreciate value and quality for money.

“ASAI is not budget travel – this is an affordable lifestyle brand offering something new, different and bespoke. Our collaborations with local artisans in each destination will ensure each stay is unique, memorable, and definitely worthy of our slogan – Live Local. And everywhere we set foot we will always ensure we have a positive impact.”

Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International, said, “In line with our three-pronged strategy for balance, expansion and diversification, the introduction of ASAI Hotels will add an innovative new revenue stream to our company that complements our traditional hospitality offerings and actively responds to the needs and desires of millennial-minded travellers.

“Recent detailed studies in America have shown that, alongside a desire for local experiences, a majority 35% of this segment prefer to stay in luxury and upscale resorts. The majority also placed cost and security as chief concerns when booking accommodation. ASAI is perfectly positioned to meet these needs, and we look forward to making the brand a huge success.”

Dusit International is currently in a significant growth phase which will see the company’s current portfolio of 27 hotels surpass 70 worldwide within the next four years. The company’s other hotel brands, which cover luxury and mid-market segments, include: Dusit Thani, Dusit Devarana, Dusit Princess, and dusitD2.

Photo caption

ASAI Hotels was launched in Bangkok by Dusit's executives on 3 April 2018. Pictured, from left: Mr Siradej Donavanik, Managing Director, Asai Holdings Co., Ltd.; Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International; Mr Chanin Donavanik, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Dusit International; Ms Natapa Sriyuksiri, Creative Director, ASAI Hotels.

Fresh Eyes! Andy Grammer is Coming for a Special Concert in Manila!

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Multi-platinum selling pop artist Andy Grammer is coming to Manila for a special and intimate concert on June 7th at the Music Museumin Greenhills, San Juan.

This music genius is all about inspiring and empowering the world by communicating his truths through his music. The first male pop star in a decade since John Mayer to reach the Top 10 at Adult Pop Radio on his first two singles, Grammer has taken the music world by storm with a succession of anthemic pop hits, 6 of which are certified gold or better. His debut album featured the platinum singles "Keep Your Head Up" and "Fine By Me." Andy's second album, Magazines or Novels, featured the triple platinum infectious smash hit "Honey, I'm Good," which was one of the best-selling songs of 2015, and the certified gold anthem "Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah)." Andy’s third full-length album, The Good Parts, was released December 1, 2017. The record includes his global smash hit single “Fresh Eyes,” which has become a streaming phenomenon with over 300 million total streams, the catchy summer jam featuring LunchMoney Lewis, “Give Love,” as well as his NEW hit single “Smoke Clears.

Tickets to Andy Grammer – Live in Manila will be on-sale on Friday, April 13 via TicketWorld.com.ph or at the Music Museum box office. For more information, call 891-9999 or 374-9999. Presented by Wilbros Live.

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Clark Airport Aims 2-Million Passenger Mark, Breaks Records Anew

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Clark International Airport tallied more than 215,000 passengers in the month of March while over 8,000 travelers passed through Clark on April 2 which broke previous records anew, according to an executive of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).

Alexander Cauguiran, CIAC president and CEO, said a total of 215,040 passengers from March 1 to 31 were recorded while the highest number of travelers served in just a day was last April 2 at 8,322 individuals.

“These numbers are the highest, so far, in the history of CIAC since 1995,” Cauguiran said.

The average daily passenger volume at the Clark airport is 7,000 and served by a total of 481 weekly flights, 158 of which are international flights while the remaining 323 are domestic routes.

"From January 1 to March 31 this year alone, there were a total of 600,811 passengers that passed through Clark airport. At this rate and with the full support of the Duterte administration, we will be able to break the 2017 record of 1.5 million passengers and will probably reach the two million mark this year," the CIAC chief added.

Airlines operating flights include Asiana Airlines, Cathay Dragon, Cebu Pacific, Emirates, Jetstar Asia, Jinair, Philippines AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Scoot, while chartered flights are operated by AirSwift and Alphaland Aviation.

"There is definitely a surge at Clark airport in terms of the number of flights, destinations and passenger volume, along with the improvements of its facilities, all largely possible under the leadership of President Duterte," Caugurian said.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade lauded the management and staff of CIAC for ensuring the convenience and safety of the commuting public particularly during the recent observance of Holy Week.

Secretary Tugade extended his deepest and sincerest gratitude to CIAC personnel who, he said, “unselfishly sacrificed their off days to give and assure the riding public the safety, security and comfort in their Holy Week journeys and travels."

At the same time, five CIAC were commended for “honesty and exemplary service in the performance of their duties” which, Cauguiran pointed out, “gave a breath of fresh air in the light of social media post that have put Clark airport in a bad light the past several months.”

CIAC security officers Christopher Ferry and Larry Magcalas were cited for promptly returning on March 10 the belongings left behind by a passenger and politely turning down a reward.

In February, outsourced personnel Eduardo Labarda returned a passenger’s lost mobile phone and Eranie Decena surrendered a Rolex watch while last December, parking attendant John Pamintuan assisted a troubled balikbayan beyond his duty at the CIAC Park and Fly facility.