Key Facts & Figures

Neil Cumming, President
Back in 1966, Neil Cumming was one of the UK’s first computer programmers. An electronics and mathematics background at the Harwell Atomic Energy Research Centre in England led to a keen interest in IT, which became a lifelong vocation and successful career in systems analysis, research and the development of commercial applications. As Group Systems Manager at EMI he developed an advanced online real-time sales reservation system for EMI’s Thames Television company – a system that proved so successful that he was invited to form a separate company to market it on behalf of Thames Television. Five successful years on – with the system commanding 85% of the UK market – he sold his stake in the company, bought a yacht and set sail for the Caribbean, the US and Far East with his family.

Their journey brought them to Phuket in 1988, which has been his base ever since. It was here that Neil started Asia Web Direct in 1993 and, two years later, launched Phuket.com to promote tourism on the island. His real-time reservations experience led to the company’s WebDirect instant booking system and later on the very successful last-minute reservation system LateStays.com. Past President of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach, Neil is also a member of the local SKAL club, the British Chamber of Commerce, and La Chaine des Rotisseurs of Thailand – the latter fueled by a love of good food and wine. Still actively involved in strategic aspects of the company’s development and often shuttling between Phuket and his office in Bangkok, Neil’s five grandchildren keeps him young and in touch with all that’s cool and hip.

Jirapa Eawsakul (Sii), Chief Executive Officer
Since the company’s inception in 1993, Ms Jirapa Eawsakul (Sii) has played an instrumental role in the growth and successes of Phuket-based Asia Web Direct (AWD), known back then as Phuket Computer Services. Along with AWD’s founder and President Neil Cumming and his son, Stuart, the formidable team started establishing relationships with hotels and tour operators, gradually leading the company through a transformation from local computer services provider to a major regional online travel operation.rule to lead by example.

Sii’s previous experience with luxury yacht cruises and a family background of hotel ownership was the perfect match for her partners' computer expertise. Combining her love of travel with a natural ability to motivate staff, she has managed every aspect of AWD’s operations and, through a hands-on management style, is closely involved in all day-to-day aspects of running the company. The company grew quickly, with Sii overseeing the regional expansion plans and opening new offices in Kuala Lumpur, Samui, Bangkok and Krabi. In 2005 she assumed her current position as Chief Executive Officer.

Born and raised in Phang Nga on Thailand’s Andaman coastline, Sii is firmly rooted in Phuket, highly respected and well connected in the tourism and hospitality industries across the Asia-Pacific region. Through a philosophy of relationship-building and skilled networking that she has instilled in AWD’s Business Development teams, the company has been able to see enormous increases in the number of its business partners – representative of the world’s leading hotel chains and tour operators.

The fast-moving and highly competitive environment of online travel distribution is one Sii is both passionate about and thrives on, while her visionary ideas has seen AWD go from strength to strength – and contributed towards achieving enviable year-on-year growth for the company. She will remain on in her role as CEO now that the company has been acquired by Australian-based Wotif.com and looks forward to even faster growth, heading up the new Asia Business Unit of this fast-expanding online travel group.

Tasnee Yangseenat, Chief Operations Officer
A long career in the hospitality industry saw Tasnee Yangseenat acquiring invaluable experience in various operational aspects. On completion of her studies at Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne in Switzerland, she joined the Rooms Division section of The Oriental Bangkok. After deciding that a tropical island setting suits her lifestyle aspirations better, she moved to Phuket to join The Phuket Yacht Club in the position of Executive Assistant Manager. A stint as Public Relations Manager of The Boathouse followed, before joining Asia Web Direct in 2000. Her responsibilities at AWD are varied and include all operational aspects, from overseeing human resource functions to finance and administration. Tasnee and her husband, who is a well-known hotelier in Phuket, have an adopted son, and she thrives on the challenges that come with a demanding career. Success, she believes, is the culmination of skills, ongoing training, knowledge-sharing and total dedication.

Willy Thuan, Chief Web Officer
A French national by birth, Willy Thuan heads up Asia Web Direct’s IT and Web teams, overseeing critical functions such as web design, web structure, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), web usability, photography, graphic design and the roll-out of new destination portals. His career started as an Advertising Photographer in 1980 after graduating from the Nantes School of Photography. In 1984 he worked as a Radio DJ and Program Manager, before joining Club Med in various locations around the world as Stage Designer. In 1994 he moved to Phuket and founded Andaman Graphics, a company that specialised in web design and advertising. It was here that his path crossed with Asia Web Direct, and he joined the company in 2000. Willy’s knowledge of the Internet and its business applications is extensive, and he has played a significant role in establishing the company’s web development policies, in achieving excellent search engine rankings for its websites, and ensuring world-class practices are in place.

Kevin Rautenbach, Product Director
Before joining Asia Web Direct in 2006, Kevin Rautenbach was employed by Starwood in Phuket as Director of Revenue Management for Sheraton Grande Laguna Resort. Prior to that he held various positions through the years in reservations, revenue management, sales and business development at hotels in his native South Africa (De Oude Kraal Hotel, Cape Town) and in the UK (Ramada Hotels) – providing him with extensive knowledge of the hospitality sector and large chain operations. His induction to the industry was in an entirely different field though, having enrolled initially for an F&B qualification in Durban, before deciding that the challenges of revenue management and business development are better suited to his strengths. Kevin’s role at Asia Web Direct encompasses maintaining relationships with existing hotel partners and identifying new opportunities, and geographically covers the whole world except Northern Thailand. Based in Phuket, he regularly travels to the company’s offices in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, and also represents AWD at important events worldwide on the industry calendar. Kevin finds it impossible to resist the temptation of a new electronic gadget, and his Blackberry is worn as a permanent accessory.

Wanliya (Faa) Praharnpap, Systems Development Director
In her current position as Systems Development Director, Faa Praharnpap leads B2B connectivity projects for new sources of products, as well as managing and implementing online marketing campaigns. A primary challenge now is to deliver the new version of AWD’s booking engine to cover the growing needs of online customers and hotel partners. With a BA degree in English from the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Thammasat University in Bangkok and an MSc degree in Information Technology from the Queen Mary & Westfield College at the University of London, Faa was previously employed at Citibank, the National Electronic and Computer Center (NECTEC), and Wealth Management System Limited – the latter a software application developer for financial institutions. She joined AWD in 2000, and among her many contributions over the years were the development of real-time booking systems for LateStays.com and Travel & Tours. Based in Phuket, Faa is a self-confessed technology junkie, and balances that with a keen interest in Buddhism. In her free time she enjoys travelling and visiting temples.

Yusuf IJsseldijk, Product Director
After graduating in 1990 with a degree in Biology in the Netherlands, Yusuf IJsseldijk joined a Dutch specialist ecotourism operator to develop and lead new nature and adventure tours in Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia. He settled down in West Sumatra for the next five years, before joining Accor as Director of Sales & Marketing of the Novotel Bukittinggi (also in West Sumatra). From here he progressed through different sales and marketing roles before being appointed General Manager of Sales in 2000 for Accor Indonesia. In 2003 he moved to Bangkok to handle international key leisure accounts for Accor Asia. Yusuf’s expertise in sales and marketing, combined with a network of industry contacts throughout Asia, is a huge asset in his position at AWD to explore new opportunities for the company. In his free time, he and his wife enjoy travelling and hiking, especially exploring undisturbed and remote areas to absorb traditional life and cultures.

Gunn Ketnim, Assistant Product Director
A graduate of Thammasat University in Bangkok (BA, Mass Communication), Gunn Ketnim joined Asia Web Direct’s Business Development division in 2001 before brief stints at a travel agency and working in a restaurant. His friendly and extroverted personality has made him a big favourite with our hotel partners with whom he liaises regularly to secure the best possible rates. He is also responsible for establishing new relationships and to retain existing ones, while supervising business development functions at the company’s offices in Phuket, Krabi and Samui. Gunn enjoys working in an Internet-based environment, especially one that combines his keen interest in the travel and hospitality sectors.