Dusit International has appointed Marc Hediger as senior vice president, development.
He will be responsible for overseeing the development team’s global operations outside of China.
Hediger brings to his role more than 30 years of development and operational experience.
Prior to joining Dusit, he was chief executive of Lanson Place Hospitality Management, Hong Kong, where he successfully doubled its number of luxury hotels from six to 12 properties.
During his career, he has worked as general manager for Hyatt Hotels, and he spent eight years as senior vice president and director of development at Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Hong Kong.
During his time at Shangri-La, the company increased its management contracts from two to 25 hotels and doubled its number of owned properties to 70.
Hediger also spent almost two years as senior vice president, property development, at New World Hospitality, Hong Kong, overseeing the launch of Pentahotels and establishing the new Rosewood brand.
With 27 properties currently in operation across four brands in eight countries, Dusit is preparing for its own significant growth with over 50 confirmed projects in the pipeline in key destinations worldwide.
Covering midscale through to luxury segments, at least 15 hotels are expected to open over the next 12 months, including Dusit’s first hotels in Singapore, Vietnam, Bhutan and Bahrain.
The company also recently introduced ASAI Hotels, a new affordable lifestyle brand designed to link curious, millennial-minded travellers with authentic local experiences in vibrant cities and resort destinations worldwide.
Five ASAI hotels are already confirmed in the pipeline: three in Cebu, Philippines; one in Yangon, Myanmar, and a flagship ASAI hotel in Bangkok.
All are expected to open throughout 2019.
“I am delighted and honoured to join Dusit at such an exciting time in the company’s history,” said Hediger.
“With many exciting hotels and resorts in the pipeline, many of which are set to open soon, the company already has a solid foundation for sustainable and profitable growth.
“I now look forward to working with my team to identify and sign even more properties that will continue Dusit’s mission to uniquely deliver Thai-inspired, gracious hospitality to the world.”