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Dusit Thani Pattaya cited as ‘Most Outstanding Green Hotel’

Chiang Mai to get leg up with links to global cities


Dusit Thani Pattaya cited as ‘Most Outstanding Green Hotel’

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently awarded Dusit Thani Pattaya the ‘Most Outstanding Green Leaf Hotel / Resort’ for its exceptional contribution in environmental management.

Prawes Akanimart (left), president of the hotel’s Green Leaf Committee, receives the award from Dr. Suvit Yodmani, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports.

The ‘Most Outstanding Green Leaf Hotel/Resort’ Award was featured in this year’s Thailand Tourism Awards to recognize outstanding contributions by an environmentally-friendly hotel or resort property.
Dusit Thani Pattaya has been recognized locally and internationally for its commitment to environmental conservation by implementing strict in-house programs that fosters environmentally-friendly practices, such as the efficient use of energy and water, water management, recycling, proper waste management, and policies that favour the purchase of products and services from equally committed environmentally-friendly companies.
Dusit Thani Pattaya has three times been awarded the Green Leaf certificate with Five Leaves. Green Leaf certificate with Five Leaves is the highest level awarded to a hotel signifying excellence in environmental management. The 462-room resort hotel was also certified with a seal of ‘socio-ecological distinction’ by Kuoni Green Planet Award.
“We are truly honoured to be recognized by the Thailand Tourism Awards for our environmental initiatives,” said Chatchawal Supachayanont, General Manager of Dusit Thani Pattaya. “This award demonstrates our commitment to improve the environment while providing our guests with a remarkable resort experience.”
The Thailand Tourism Awards are considered to be Thailand’s ‘Hallmark of Excellence’ in the tourism industry – a symbol of assurance in the outstanding quality and reliability of tourism products and services offered by a particular organization, operator or community.


Chiang Mai to get leg up with links to global cities

Chiang Mai’s beleaguered tourism industry, which was facing a 10-year low during this year’s low season, looks set to enjoy a brighter future with Thai Airways International’s and JetStar Airways’ plans to link Thailand’s second largest city direct with Tokyo, Shanghai and Sydney next year.
According to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai national airline and the Australia-based low-cost carrier have expressed interests to operate on the three new regional routes. However, the press offices of THAI or JetStar have not confirmed the news, saying the TAT might have obtained the information from some preliminary discussions.
The city’s tourism operators have been mourning over the insufficient international direct flights despite Chiang Mai Airport being recently upgraded to handle large long-haul aircraft.
To date, there are only nine airlines operating direct regional short-haul flights to Chiang Mai from Kunming, Singapore, Yangon, Luang Prabang, Taipei, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. Korean Air and Bangkok Airways are the latest airlines introducing two new regional connections with Seoul and Siem Reap, respectively, since October.
Thai Hotels Association (THA) Northern Upper Chapter president and The Empress Hotel Chiang Mai general manager, Kanog Suvannavisutr, said it was good news if there would be more regional direct flights to Chiang Mai in the future. He said the new Incheon-Chiang Mai route helped to boost the number of South Korean arrivals, but room-nights from this market was still considered minimal.
Mr. Kanog said (THA) Northern Upper Chapter and other concerned public and private sectors planned to leverage on the city’s increasing number of five-star properties to turn Chiang Mai into a MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) destination between next year and 2009 and that promotion campaigns are currently being outlined. (TTG)