Dusit Hotels & Resorts, the hotel vertical of Thailand-based Dusit International, has teamed up with Generator and Freehand Hotels, the developer and operator of experiential hostels and boutique hotels, and entered into a strategic partnership to boost global expansion and venture into new markets.
As part of the partnership, Generator and Freehand Hotels will leverage its network and strengths in creating lifestyle hybrid accommodation models in the budget lifestyle segment in the U.S. and Europe and launch Dusit Hotels in key destinations in Europe and the U.S.
On the other hand, Dusit Hotels will leverage its position in Asia and the Middle East to explore opportunities to introduce Generator and Freehand’s properties in prime city locations, such as Bangkok, Manila, Kyoto, Dubai and Abu Dhabi and island retreats like Phuket and Bali.
The partnership is a win-win situation for both companies and helps broaden Dusit International’s development horizons without compromising its existing brand portfolios. The partnership also helps the Thai company to capitalize its prospects that might not align with its current brand offerings, said Siradej Donavanik, VP, global development, Dusit International.
Dusit’s brand lineup includes Dusit Thani (luxury), dusitD2 (lifestyle/midscale), Dusit Princess (midscale), Dusit Suites (upscale/long stay) and ASAI Hotels (budget lifestyle). Dusit also recently launched two new brands, Devarana – Dusit Retreats (wellness luxury) and Dusit Collection (bespoke luxury). Generator and Freehand will be exploring development opportunities for all of these brands.
Spanning 18 countries, Dusit International has 57 hotels operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts, with 60 more properties in the global pipeline. Dusit is also present in the home rental segment and has 244 luxury villas under Elite Havens, the provider of luxury villa rentals in Asia, which Dusit acquired in 2018.
Dusit has been expanding its global presence in the past few years, including foraying into the all-inclusive segment with the dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives in the Maldives. Currently under construction, the lifestyle resort will be managed by Dusit. Dusit Hotels and Resorts is also preparing to reopen Dusit Thani Bangkok, the reimagined version of Dusit’s flagship luxury hotel, in September. The newly constructed 39-story hotel will offer a fresh take on the former hotel with fewer rooms, while retaining signature design elements of the former hotel, which was open from 1970 to 2019.
“Dusit’s unique blend of tradition and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision for delivering culturally rich experiences for inspired travellers worldwide,” said Alastair Thomann, CEO, Generator and Freehand Hotels.
Generator and Freehand’s current portfolio includes 21 properties across Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, the U.K. and North America. The company reported a record H1 numbers, with EBITDA soaring 18% YOY. The company’s year-end outlook also appears to be bullish, with the company aiming for a full year EBITDA of $95.8 million, representing a 22% surge jump from the previous year.
