An Interview with Mr. Felix Khew,
Country Head, China, DUSIT FUDU HOTELS & RESORTS
Established in 1948, Dusit International is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Building on its two core areas of business – Hotels & Resorts and Hospitality Education – the company has expanded its operations to comprise five business units. The additional units include Foods, Property Development, and Hospitality-Related Services. Today, the company’s property portfolio comprises more than 300 distinctive hotels, resorts and luxury villas operating under six brands across 17 countries worldwide, as well as two leading hospitality colleges with campuses in Thailand and the Philippines. Dusit International has more than 70 years’ experience in the hotel and hospitality field and the company’s first hotel was the Princess at Bangkok.
All the company’s hotels are building upon Thai culture and tradition. Dusit officially entered China in 2013. At present, Dusit operates and manages 10 hotels in Guangzhou, Huizhou, Changzhou, Suzhou, Zhouzhuang, Nanjing, Dongtai and Tianjin. There are also more than 20 hotels in the pipeline, which will be opened in the next few years. SpaChina interviewed Mr. Felix Khew, the Country Head, China, DUSIT FUDU HOTELS & RESORTS
Who are your major guests in the properties in China? What are the unique charms of Dusit for them?
Most of our guests in China’s properties come from the domestic market. Due to work stress and a fast pace of life, our guests like to pursue wellness and leisure travel to nearby destinations during the weekends. They can relax in the outdoor natural hot springs which set against tranquil tropical landscape and indulge in signature Thai massages or any of the indigenous spa treatments from an extensive spa menu by our renowned Devarana Spa. I also think the wellness travel concept will be popular in China.
How do you define “Thai Hospitality”? How do you combine the brand’s Thai DNA with the distinctive character of the Chinese market?
Dusit International prides itself on its distinctive hospitality inspired by authentic Thai values. From lobby to rooms to restaurants to bars, no detail goes unnoticed in our pursuit of hospitality excellence. Dedicated to providing only the best of service, we do everything we can to ensure each and every stay at a Dusit property is always an experience to cherish. Genuine care, warmth and respect are very much part of our DNA.
Take our Dusit Wellness as an example: Traditional Thai Medicine treatments are conducted alongside Chinese ancient tone therapy. The various elements complement and enhance each other to relax the body and move it towards wellness. The five harmonious tones – Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, Yu – can be heard throughout the entire wellness center, combined with custom-made environmental aromatherapy, bringing peace and tranquility to the hot springs and spa areas, as well the treatment rooms.
How are the elements of Thai wellness combined with Chinese characteristics in your properties in China?
We combine Traditional Thai Therapy with Chinese wellness wisdom, as well as sports and the nature anti-aging concept together, creating all Wellness Trips with the target of improving wellbeing, life quality and the balance of body, mind and soul. For example, we combine Traditional Thai Therapy with Chinese ancient five tone — Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, Yu corresponding to 5 elements of China to help guests restore calmness and stay away from emotional disturbance. When delivering the treatments, we selectively follow the traditional Thai therapies, so that guests will know that this is a hotel resort brand that originated in Thailand.
A holistic health concept, wellness activities, healthy cuisine and ancient sound hot spring therapy bring our guests the health living experience. The wellness food in Dusit Wellness is divided to 3 parts – Antioxidant, Light food for detox, Energy improving. Also, we combine Recreation with Wellness, and organize various outdoor activities fostering better family bond and get guests close to nature.
What hot-spring and spa programs do you have?
Our hotels are located in the area with a nice environment and good air quality. The wellness retreats are designed to range from 1 day to 14 days. The unique experience starts with selecting a retreat which is targeted by adding or changing treatments and activities such as outdoor activities and mini golf – the trip that fits with personal goals and health concerns.
Six Dusit Wellness Retreats have been launched so far:
- Dusit Experience – One Day Leisure Trip
- Spa Journey – Precautions to protect yourself, balance immunity
- Yoga Retreat – The wellness trip, inspired by YOGA.
- Stress Management – Relax, Sports, Sharing, Guidance, Uplift the Mind & the Spirit, Improve quality of life.
- Vitality of Life – The combination of Sport & Wellness, improve vibrancy.
- Detox Retreat – Organic light food with Zen Mindfulness
What are the most popular Thai treatments at your hotel spas in China?
In our Wellness Centers, the treatments with a combination of Thai Therapy + TCM + Signature Massage are popular, for example:
Traditional Thai Massage + Himalaya Salt Punch Therapy
One of the DEVARANA Signature treatments, this treatment is comprised of two sections – Traditional Thai Massage and Himalaya Salt Therapy. TTM helps to stretch the whole body, and the Salt Punch works on eight glands of the body: pituitary, pineal gland, thyroid, parathyroid glands, thymus, pancreas, adrenal gland, gonad for rejuvenating and enhancing the function of glands, while the body has a set of Human frequency to vibrate in resonance with incoming anion and heat radiation which are released from salt punch. This treatment results the improving of vitality, restoring of your body to the best form.
Shilomi
It’s a wonderful therapeutic and energizing body work combining DEVARANA Essential Oil, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu and Hawaii Lomi Lomi massage techniques on the deepest layers of muscles, plus Thai style stretching. The treatment is very popular with those who have just had sports or exercises. Tensions and muscle pains melt away after the treatment.
