Asia’s leading hotel group Dusit International has announced plans to open their first property in the Maldives, Dusit Thani Maldives, in December.

Located on Mudhdhoo Island, Northwest of Malé, the resort, will feature 46 Beach Villas, two Beach Houses and a selection of Water or Ocean Villas.

Facilities will include a 50-metre swimming pool, a tree top spa, tennis courts and a dive centre with extensive water activities in and around the resort.

The property lies within 40 minutes travelling time via sea plane from Malé, and 10 minutes by speedboat from the new domestic airport.

Mr Chanin Donavanik, Chief Executive Officer of Dusit International said, “This is a very exciting addition to our growing portfolio and represents a great milestone for the Dusit brand. Dusit Thani will combine the rich flavour of Thai hospitality with the stunning tropical beauty of the Maldives.”

Mr Ahmed Umar Maniku, Chairman and Managing Director of Coastline Hotels & Resorts Pte. Ltd., Maldives and developer of Mudhdhoo Island Resort announced, “We believe Dusit will bring not only a sizeable financial investment into the Maldives but will add significant value to the training and development of Maldivians through its outstanding hospitality training schools and colleges.”

A total investment of some US$77,000,000 has been committed to this project with Dusit International as the majority shareholder.

Dusit Thani Bangkok to host prestigious awards ceremony

Dusit International is an award winning group of luxury hotels in Asia, UAE and Egypt. In less than two weeks, the Dusit Thani Bangkok will play host to one of the most extraordinary and prestigious events in the world travel & tourism calendar, taking centre stage as a world class leisure and business destination, as it spearheads the global travel & tourism recovery.

Thai Heritage Suite at the Dusit Thani Bangkok, host venue for the WTA Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony later this month

The Asia & Australasia World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony is set to take place at the luxurious Dusit Thani Bangkok in Thailand on 28th September

A distinguished line-up of travel industry professionals, senior executives from renowned travel companies, and hoteliers representing Asia & Australasia’s leading hotels, as well as media from 60 countries are expected to attend this prestigious ceremony when winners will be recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Peter Komposch, General Manager, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket and colleagues collect 3 awards at last year’s WTA Asia & Australasia’s ceremony

Last year, its sister property - Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket – was named Thailand’s Leading Beach Resort, Thailand’s Leading Golf Resort and Thailand’s Leading Spa Resort in an unprecedented run of success.

“It is a distinct honour for Dusit Thani Bangkok as well as for Thailand to host such a prestigious international event,” said Danny McCafferty, General Manager of Dusit Thani Bangkok.

“We are proud to be the host hotel for this event, which endorses Thailand as a world-class leisure and business destination and honours nominees for excellence in the industry.”

Dusit Thani Bangkok was chosen after a rigorous selection process that announced Bangkok as this year’s host destination for the World Travel Awards 2011 Asia & Australasia ceremony.