On behalf of my partners and indeed everyone involved in the Diethelm Keller Group, let me congratulate Diethelm Travel Thailand on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

From a small division of our Thailand operation serving a few organisations and people involved in our other businesses, Diethelm Travel has evolved into the leading inbound tourist organisation in Southeast Asia. Under the trade name ‘Diethelm Travel Asia’ we today cover nine countries in the region and provide career opportunities for hundreds of employees in these countries.

In April 1957, our first travel operation in Bangkok, under the name of ‘Diethelm Travel Office’, was established. Specialising in the organisation of varied excursions into the different parts of the Kingdom of Thailand and neighbouring countries, Diethelm Travel grew into a regionally and internationally recognised inbound tour operator. In 1987, ‘Visit Thailand Year’, the number of incoming tourists handled by Diethelm Travel exceeded 100,000 for the first time. Today we handle over 500,000 tourists annually visiting the region from more than 80 countries. In addition to the inbound tourism sector, Diethelm Travel is also active in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions business and has been privileged to handle many of the largest high-profile events in Thailand in recent years. We are active in expanding the range of services together with leading industry partners in the region.

In recognition of our quality services, Diethelm Travel has won many industry awards, including a ‘Conde Nast Traveler Award’ in 2003 and ‘Asia's Leading Tour Operator’ in the 2006 World Travel Awards.

Our success has been due to the tremendous commitment shown by our staff over the years and the support we have received from our key suppliers and customers. To them all, my deepest thanks.