Image: Dusit is looking to attract more visits from Australasia

Asian hotel operator Dusit International has partnered with Hotel Representation Australia (HRA) to strengthen its sales presence in the lucrative Australasian market.

Under the agreement, HRA will represent Dusit International as its regional sales representative in Australia and New Zealand, which are among the company's key emerging source markets.

The partnership is expected to provide Dusit International with a stronger regional presence to showcase its deluxe spa hotels and resorts, both throughout Thailand and in other destinations, including the Maldives.

James Ramage, Dusit International's assistant vice president of sales, said: "Our new collaboration with HRA will be one of the key strengths in supporting our aggressive expansion of the new properties in Maldives, Delhi, Abu Dhabi and Hainan during 2012-2013.

"Australia and New Zealand are among our key target growth markets, whom we believe will lead Dusit International to great success in the region."

• According to statistics from the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand welcomed 477,894 inbound travellers from Australia and New Zealand during the six months from January to June 2012.

The figure is up almost 10 per cent from arrivals during the same period in 2011. The Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture in the Republic of Maldives also reported a 22.9 per cent growth in the number of visitors from Oceania during the first six months of 2012 compared to the same period last year. For more details on Thailand's tourism figures, click here.