Issue 10: 18 Aug 2014

The New Regional General Manager – Thailand for the Hilton hotel group has just returned to the country from working in China, Horizon Thailand asks how he compares the two countries.

Dirk De Cuyper, Regional General Manager, Hilton Hotel Thailand

What are the strengths of the Thai hospitality industry?
I would say that a major strength … comes from the country’s renowned “service with a smile” culture and the Thais themselves. The Thais are naturally gentle, graceful and polite people, making them ideal for the hospitality industry, while they are also intelligent, eager to learn and adaptable to change. The Thais are so renowned for their manners that the Thai smile and wai have become synonymous with international hospitality standards the world over.

How would you compare the hospitality industries in China and Thailand?
Here in Thailand, Thai employees are naturally service-minded, and this is the thing that truly impresses any visitor to this kingdom. Though, it is a little bit different in China.

Thailand has suffered from a period of political instability, will it bounce back?
If we want to find proof of Thailand’s ability to rebound from political situations, one only needs to look at history, very recent history too. I would have to say that this is one of most resilient countries I have ever visited, and “bouncing back” from such incidents seems to be almost second nature to the country. One thing that never changes for a country is its geometry. Thailand is a destination rich with venues that range from islands and mainland beaches, to mountains and national parks, and it even has cooler weather in the North at the end of the year. Meanwhile, the country shares borders with Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, which adds to the variety of food, products and handicrafts available here.

How do you see the Thai hospitality industry developing over the next few years?
I expect an increase in tourists and business people from China and the Middle East. China’s tourists are becoming far more sophisticated, so many of them are now taking accommodation in the country’s four and five-star hotels and resorts. Meanwhile, more established markets from the West will continue to provide us with tourists from Europe, though these are now seeking packages that cater to new experiences as this market continues to react to their struggling national economies.

Hilton Hotel Bangkok by the Chao Phraya River

What plans does the Hilton Group have for expansion in the Kingdom?
To reflect the importance we give Thailand as a tourism destination, we currently have a total of eight properties in Thailand, with one to open next year. Our properties are under four different brands, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton, Conrad and our luxury brand, Waldorf Astoria, due to open in 2017 at Magnolias Ratchadamri, the best luxurious condominium in Thailand.

In a previous stint in Thailand, you were instrumental in introducing the Hua Hin Jazz Festival. Do you have similar plans for this sojourn?
We have joined forces with another seven riverside hotels, with the aim to promote the Chao Phraya River as a river destination and will have more projects in the near future. Cleaning the river is our main focus for now, and we will help drive this project together through our community.

For further information, visit:www3.hilton.com