Dusit International’s CEO and managing director has been named Travel Entrepreneur of the Year at the 24th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2013.
Chanin Donavanik was recognized at the awards ceremony, held on October 3 in Bangkok, Thailand, while the company’s Dusit Thani Maldives property was named Best New Beach Resort Hotel in Asia due to its services, facilities, value-added benefits and professional sales and marketing team.
Both Mr Donavanik and Dusit Thani Maldives’ general manager Desmond Hatton were on hand to receive the honors.
The 52 Travel Supplier Awards and 16 Travel Agency Awards are voted on by readers of TTG Travel Trade Publishing’s print and online titles, with a total of 120,000 valid votes cast to determine this year’s recipients.
However, the Travel Entrepreneur of the Year Award is one of four awards under the organisation’s Outstanding Achievements Awards category, voted upon solely by members of TTG’s editorial team.
The Travel Entrepreneur of the Year Award is presented each year to a CEO who makes the right hires to strengthen his organisation, who dares to take risks, sets new standards for the brand and contributes to the industry in critical areas such as training, education and sustainability.
“I am humbled that Dusit has been recognised with such prestigious awards,” said Mr Donavanik. “Both of the TTG Travel Awards are truly a reflection of the entire team’s efforts over the years.”
“It is my sincere hope that as an organisation, and as an industry, we continue to grow in a sustainable manner, focussing on the development of our people as well caring for the communities and environments in which we operate.”