Travel And Tour World: How is the 20^th anniversary of Prego for ONYX Hospitality Group being celebrated?

Yuthachai Charanachitte: ONYX Hospitality Group proudly marked the 20th anniversary of its cherished Italian restaurant brand, Prego, at Amari Koh Samui. The event celebrated two decades of Prego’s success in delivering authentic Italian cuisine. Renowned for its warm ambiance, Prego attracts gastronomes worldwide. The anniversary soirée featured a tapas-style menu by Chefs Marco Boscaini and Giampiero Quartararo, showcasing classic Italian dishes, wood-fired pizza, and delights from longstanding suppliers like Peroni. The highlight was a chef’s tiramisu shaped as the number 20, epitomizing the night’s festivity. The celebration encapsulated Prego’s achievements and a promising future committed to exceptional Italian dining experiences in a welcoming setting.

Travel And Tour World:  How has Prego expanded its presence beyond its flagship location, and which new locations have been added to the brand?

Yuthachai Charanachitte: The growth of the Prego brand perfectly aligns with our commitment to delivering innovative gastronomic experiences. Beyond its Koh Samui flagship, Prego has expanded to Bangkok, Pattaya, and the latest venture, Pregolino in the Maldives. Prego Bangkok, part of Amari Bangkok’s refurbishment, aims to be a premier destination in leisure, business, and MICE travel. Pattaya’s Prego at Amari Pattaya offers a beachfront dining experience. Chef Marco Boscaini’s tantalizing menu includes classic Italian flavors and kid-friendly options. Excitingly, Prego at OZO Phuket is set to open in early 2024, marking the brand’s debut in Phuket and showcasing its beloved cuisine and ambiance to new audiences.

Travel And Tour World: Could you describe Pregolino, the new addition to the Prego brand, and what sets it apart from the original concept?

Yuthachai Charanachitte: Presenting Pregolino, the enchanting extension of the beloved Prego brand, affectionately known as ‘Little Prego,’ debuting at Amari Raaya Maldives. Launched on August 1, 2023, Amari Raaya Maldives is a milestone for ONYX Hospitality Group, solidifying its presence in the competitive Southeast Asian hotel industry. Nestled on a lush private island in Raa Atoll, the resort showcases excellence in the luxury lifestyle market. Pregolino, with its inviting café-style ambiance, seamlessly combines authentic Italian culinary artistry with soulful acoustic music, communal seating, and a well-stocked bar featuring classic Italian cocktails and wines—all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives paradise

Travel And Tour World: What role does the CEO of ONYX Hospitality Group, Yuthachai Charanachitte, play in the development and growth of the Prego brand?

Yuthachai Charanachitte: Prego is more than a business unit at ONYX Hospitality Group; it’s our passion and a source of pride. From its humble beginnings in Koh Samui, Prego has grown into a nationwide brand across Thailand in the last 20 years. Beyond our pride in its success, we cherish the commitment to delivering exceptional food and service. Prego is where patrons savor authentic Italian cuisine in a warm, inviting ambiance—creating enduring memories. Working closely with Chef Marco ensures the brand’s values are maintained in new locations while preserving the quality at our original Koh Samui spot. Together, we remain dedicated to serving customers with the same passion for relaxation, enjoyment, and lifelong memories for another 20 years.

Travel And Tour World: How does the expansion and diversification of Prego align with ONYX Hospitality Group’s overall commitment to delivering extraordinary hospitality experiences?

Yuthachai Charanachitte: ONYX Hospitality Group, with its brand promise ‘A Tailored Approach to Hospitality,’ seamlessly blends Asian hospitality practices with global business precision. Operating diverse brands like Amari, OZO, Shama, and Oriental Residence, each caters to distinct traveler needs, upholding world-class standards. Committed to becoming the best medium-sized hospitality management company in Southeast Asia, ONYX continually invests in property development. A key focus is its people—recognized with dual honors at the HR Asia Awards, affirming ONYX as a top employer. These accolades underscore our commitment to fostering an inclusive, exceptional workplace that empowers employees, driving us towards our vision of excellence in Southeast Asia’s hospitality industry.

Travel And Tour World: Share with us about the hospitality industry in community culture and sustainability as World Tourism Day is coming?

Yuthachai Charanachitte: At ONYX Hospitality Group, our commitment to sustainability is ingrained in our ethos, shaping our approach to community culture and environmental impact. Embracing the concept of being “sustainably conscious,” we strive to reduce travel footprints, ensuring future generations can enjoy similar privileges. Our ONYX Academy Programs, in collaboration with leading Thai universities and esteemed institutions like Lobster Ink, eCornell, and Harvard Business School Online, empower our workforce with extensive educational initiatives.

This year, we introduced a comprehensive framework aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). This framework operates under four pillars representing our company name:

    “O” Opportunity: Supporting underprivileged individuals and organizations through initiatives like meals, monetary donations, scholarships, and in-kind contributions.

    “N” Nature: Promoting environmental awareness and responsibility, implementing measures for waste and pollution control, and conservation efforts such as water and energy conservation.

    “Y” Youth: Inspiring future hoteliers by providing educational support and hands-on learning experiences, reinforcing initiatives to hire and develop local talent through partnerships with universities.

    “X” Collaboration: Establishing long-term alliances to meet ESG goals, including partnerships with suppliers, local producers, and introducing sustainable practices like EV charging.

We prioritize reducing single-use plastic, introducing bio-degradable amenities, and digitalizing operations to minimize paper usage. Our commitment to sustainable event practices underscores environmental responsibility without compromising event quality. ONYX Hospitality Group is dedicated to making a positive impact, ensuring our guests experience both comfort and conscientiousness while fostering a sustainable future for generations to come.