Dusit International, one of Thailand's foremost hotel and property development companies, has opened a new Global Sales Office (GSO) in Mumbai, India, to promote Dusit Hotels & Resorts to the country's vast and fast-growing outbound travel market.

The newly founded office will manage sales across all market segments including leisure, MICE and corporate business. Primarily the team will focus on Tier 1 cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, but will also cover smaller cities which are emerging as important source markets for outbound travel.

Appointed to run the office is Ms Keshwar Bhagat, Director of Sales – GSO India. Ms Bhagat brings with her rich experience working with hospitality companies in India and France, and has solid connections with the travel trade fraternity in India.

She spent three years as project manager of Promosalons: The Global Partner Network of French Trade Shows, almost six years as Promotions Manager at Atout France: France Tourism Development Agency, and prior to joining Dusit International was Director of Sales & Marketing – India for the Akaryn Hotel Group.

In her new role, Ms Bhagat will be responsible for selling all Dusit Hotels & Resorts, establishing marketing partnerships with leading local companies, and preparing inroads for Dusit branded hotels to open in India in three-to-five years. She is fluent in English, French, Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi.

"With the volume of outbound travel increasing by about 25 per cent a year, India is now one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in the world," said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. "When you consider that the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has predicted the number of outbound Indian travelers will reach 50 million by 2020, now is the perfect time for us to open a GSO in the country. Especially as this comes in tandem with our own growth, which will see our current tally of 29 hotels and resorts top 80 worldwide within the next three-to-four years. We are confident that, with Ms Bhagat at the helm, the new GSO will be a huge success."

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