Bangkok--9 May--Delivering Asia Communications
Asia’s leading inbound tour operator — Diethelm Travel Asia — hosted Bangkok’s hottest travel industry event of the year recently to celebrate 50 years’ of operational distinction in Thailand.
Among the hundreds of senior industry figures welcomed by Diethelm Travel Asia Chairman, Adrian T Keller, to the gala function was Robert Staubli, who piloted the inaugural Swissair flight to Bangkok in 1957 and went on to become CEO of Swissair. Mr Staubli was joined by Rita Mueller, who was also a member of the flight crew on the same flight.
The appointment of Diethelm & Co as general sales agent for Swissair led to the establishment of the Diethelm Travel operation, which has grown over the years to now cover nine countries in Asia.
Mr Keller said he was humbled by the “strength” of the guests at the party who all in some way had contributed to Diethelm Travel Asia’s success.
“We welcomed business partners — too many to mention by name — from every segment of our industry — hotels, airlines, vehicle operators, shopping outlets, tourist authorities, consultants and others,” Mr Keller said.
“In these days, it is not a given that a privately held company survives and prospers for not only 50 years but, in Diethelm Keller Holdings’ case, over four generations and 140 years.
“It is a testament to the strength of our partnerships in the travel industry that we are able to celebrate Diethelm Travel Asia’s first 50 years in business, with many, many more to come.”
Diethelm Travel Asia Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Watson, said the milestone was a chance to reflect on the organisation’s past but also how Diethelm Travel Asia would lead the way in tackling high profile tourism issues in the future.
“Let us look to the future with hope,” Mr Watson said.
“Let us hope the travel industry continues to grow, but in a responsible manner. Let us all re-commit today to continue to fight some of the terrible scourges in our beloved industry — child sex tourism, irresponsible damage to the environment and greed and growth without benefit to the communities in which we earn our profits.”
Mr Watson added a Diethelm Travel Asia India office will open this year and said there are plans afoot for “other strategic countries to follow in due course.”
PHOTO CAPTION:
(From left to right) John Watson (CEO Diethelm Travel Asia), Adrian T. Keller (Chairman Diethelm Travel Asia), H.E. Rodolphe Imhoof (Swiss Ambassador) and Andreas W. Keller (Director Diethelm Keller Group).
Download hi-res copy at:
http://www.scottasia.net/2007/deliveringasia/pics/Diethelm_Group_070427.jpg
Mr John Watson
Chief Executive Officer
Diethelm Travel Asia
Tel: +66 (0) 2 251 5398
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Mark Armsden
Vice-President, Communications
Delivering Asia Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 8 4121 4930
E-mail: [email protected]
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net