Mr Chanin Donavanik (left) received the APacCHRIE Lifetime Achievement Award from Professor Kaye Chon (middle), Founding Chairman of APacCHRIE and SHTM Dean and Chair Professor. To the right is Dr Qu Xiao, Chair of Awards Committee and SHTM Associate Professor. — Photo by Dusit

Bangkok -- In recognition of his significant contributions to the hospitality industry in the region, the Asia Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (APacCHRIE) has awarded Mr Chanin Donavanik, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Dusit International, the APacCHRIE Lifetime Achievement Award at a gala dinner held on 13 May 2016.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises leaders who have made significant contributions in shaping, growing and developing the hospitality education landscape. The organisation's Board members selected Mr Donavanik to receive this award based on his contributions to human capital development for the hospitality industry through initiatives such as: the Dusit Thani College, Thailand's first hospitality management school certified by the Ministry of Education; Le Cordon Bleu Dusit, the culinary school run in partnership with the famed Paris-based institute; and the newly launched Dusit Thani Hotel School, Thailand's first vocational hospitality school based on the ASEAN Common Competency Standards for Tourism Professionals.

"It is a great honour to be selected by such a distinguished panel of professionals to receive the APacCHRIE Lifetime Achievement Award," said Mr Donavanik. "It has been our mission to make Dusit International a success, and having it evolve from a purely hotel business to one where we are also helping the industry and training its future leaders gives me great satisfaction."

Founded in Hong Kong in 2002, APacCHRIE is the regional advocate of hospitality and tourism education for schools, colleges and universities offering programmes in hotel and restaurant management, foodservice management and culinary arts. It is a Federation of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education founded in 1946, the global advocate of hospitality and tourism education.

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.

Sureerat Sudpairak
Corporate Manager – Public Relations
+66 (0) 2200 9999 ext. 3321
Dusit