Source: Melia
  • Meli Hotels International takes part in a forum to celebrate the 40th anniversary of opening and reform in China
  • The forum organised by China Daily, the China Institute for Reform and Development and ESADE was attended by former President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, among others.

The Meli Madrid Princesa Hotel has hosted the China-Europe Forum on reform and globalisation organised by China Daily, the China Institute for Reform and Development and ESADE in partnership with Meli Hotels International.

Over recent decades China has experienced major growth and the European Union has moved towards greater integration. The 40th anniversary of the reform and opening of China therefore focused on exploring relationships between China and Europe through three panels focused on China-Europe relationships and Chinese reform and opening, Sino-Spanish strategic relations and shared prosperity, and China's economic development and globalisation.

Among others, the panels included former Spanish president Jos Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, as well as Spanish and international experts in economics and foreign relations as well as Chinese companies and institutions, all of whom had an opportunity to describe their vision and experiences. With corporate offices in China for more than 10 years, Meli Hotels International also had the privilege to take part.

Meli Hotels International currently has four hotels in operation in China in Jinan, Shanghai, Xi'an and Zhengzhou, and seven more hotels in the pipeline under three of its most prestigious brands: Gran Meli, Meli and INNSIDE by Meli. The company aims to continue to increase its footprint in China through alliances with major industry leaders such as Greenland and partners in the Chinese travel industry such as C-trip, the biggest online travel agency in the country, Air China and China Eastern Airlines.

Meli's commitment to China has been built around respect and the integration of its brands and values with Chinese culture. An example of this is "Peng-You", a programme through which hotels adapt to the needs of Chinese travellers and respond to their expectations in its hotels all around the world.

Mara Zarraluqui, Vice President of Hotel Development at Meli Hotels International, took part in one of the panels and made the closing speech at the forum, stating that "we have always been driven by a desire to bring Spanish hospitality to new markets while at the same time being as open as we can possibly be to how we can be enriched by new markets and culture."

About Melia Hotels International

Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world's leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the most sustainable European hotel company according to S&P Global's Sustainability Yearbook 2024, as well as being a "Top Employer 2024" brand in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and Vietnam. Meliá Hotels International is also part of the IBEX 35. For more information, please visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com