Dusit International is embarking on what is being described as the most significant period of expansion in the company’s history.

The Thai hotel group said that “an unprecedented period of growth” will expand its portfolio from 29 properties in eight countries to 69 properties in more than 20 countries over the next three to four years. Chief operating officer Lim Boon Kwee is planning to update the travel industry on these expansion plans at ITB Berlin, which kicks off on 8 March.

“The last three years has been a time of steady growth for Dusit International as we looked to build our international presence beyond our traditional strongholds such as Thailand by entering into exciting new markets in the USA, China and Kenya,” Lim said. “In order to further capitalise on these recent successes and increased awareness of our core brands, Dusit Thani and dusitD2, we have dramatically ramped up our already impressive pipeline of new openings, with no less than 40 additional properties already confirmed over the next three to four years.

“These new openings will also see the company enter new markets in Turkey, Australia and sub-Saharan Africa while extending our presence in key markets such as China, Southeast Asia and the Middle East,” he added.

Recent openings have included dusitD2 Khao Yai, which opened in northeast Thailand in August 2016; dusitD2 Kenz in Dubai, which became the first dusitD2-branded property in the Middle East when it officially launched in February 2017; and the DusitPrincess Panzhihua, which opened in November 2016, becoming the first DusitPrincess-branded hotel in China.

And new openings set for the next 12 months include dusitD2 Thimphu, which will mark the company’s entry into Bhutan; Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore, which is set to open by the first quarter of 2018; and Dusit Thani Brookwater Resort Golf & Spa Resort, which will become the first Australian Dusit when it opens in Queensland in late 2018.

Looking further ahead, Dusit Thani Residences Istanbul, Dusit Thani Yangon, dusitD2 Aria Phuket are all in the pipeline.

Lim Boon Kwee will be joined at this year’s ITB Berlin by Dusit’s vice president of development, Rustom Vickers, who will outline further details of the hotel’s expansion plans.

Only last week, Dusit revealed plans to upgrade its flagship hotel, Dusit Thani Bangkok, with a US$1 billion joint investment and expansion of the downtown property.