Left to Right: Mr Lim Boon Kwee, President of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts | Ms Chen Xia, Board Member of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts | Mr Giovanni Angelini, Vice Chairman of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts and Dusit International | Mr Chen Li Bin, President of Changzhou Qiao Yu Group and Chairman of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts | Mr David Shackleton, Chief Operating Officer of Dusit International | Mr Harris Yang, Senior Vice President of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts — Photo by Dusit

Thailand-based hospitality group Dusit International and China-based real estate developer Changzhou Qiao Yu Group announce the establishment of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts, the joint venture hotel management company that will spearhead Dusit International's continued expansion in China. Its major shareholders include Dusit International, Changzhou Qiao Yu Group and noted hospitality veteran Mr Giovanni Angelini, former CEO of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

Marked by the opening of the company's Shanghai office on this auspicious date, the

event signifies an important milestone in Dusit International's long-term expansion plans.

"Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts will develop the Dusit Thani, dusitD2, Dusit Devarana

and Dusit Princess brands throughout China," says Mr Chen Li Bin, Chairman of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts. "We look forward to a very successful future with this newly formed management company."

The company expects to operate at least 30 properties in China within the next three

years, focussing on mid-tier to deluxe projects in Changzhou, Qingdao, Qingyuan, Lingshui, Shenyang, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Suzhou and Shaoxing.

The first of these hotels, dusitD2 Fudu Binhu Hotel

Changzhou, hosted its soft opening on 23rd July 2013. Nicknamed 'the diamond' due to its impressive gem-like structure, the hotel is conveniently located in the Wujin Hi-Tech Industrial Zone of Changzhou, Jiangsu Province and offers guests floor-to-ceiling views over the adjacent West Taihu Lake.

"China is a market with abundant opportunities," says Mr Chanin Donavanik, Board

Director of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts and CEO of Dusit International. "I believe a South-East Asian chain can do very well here, offering a different approach to hospitality."

China is now Thailand's largest feeder market with 1.1 million visitors to Thailand in Q1

2013, a 100% increase Y-o-Y. Additionally, Chinese travellers spent a record US$102 billion on international tourism in 2012, a 40% rise from US$73 billion in 2011.

"China is the world's largest source market for international tourism, as well as one of

the biggest travel destinations," adds President of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts, Mr Lim Boon Kwee. "China is set to become the biggest hotel market--therefore we need to be here."

About Dusit Hotels and Resorts

Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group's portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide.

For more information, please visit dusit.com

About Dusit International

Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Dusit Estate, and Hospitality-Related Services.

Dusit International's diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

For more information, please visit dusit-international.com