Members of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute's executive staff kicked off their 10-day visit to China with a VIP dinner in Shanghai for hospitality professionals who hold the designation of Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA®), the highest professional certification for hospitality industry executives.
An Australian national, Mr. Wong has worked in the luxury hotel industry for 19 years and has extensive experience in China and the surrounding region. In previous roles he worked across all major market segments in luxury hotels including the MICE, corporate and leisure markets for Hyatt Hotels, Peninsula Hotels, Renaissance and Ritz-Carlton.
After the launch of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, he led the newly opened hotel into becoming a major location in the zone.
Mr. Flint most recently served as the General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami for almost 6 years, where he successfully achieved the highest score in the region both financial results and employee satisfaction. Prior to that, he was General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street.
Jin Jiang International Hotels will once again partner with Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world's premier business travel and corporate meetings organization, for GBTA Asia's second annual regional China Conference to be held from 31 March-2 April in Shanghai.
Pullman, Accor’s upscale brand, announces the opening of the Pullman Shanghai South, its second property in the city of Shanghai and its fifteenth in China – which is the brand’s leading market in terms of number of hotels. With 45 hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific (including 32 in Asia), Pullman confirms its strong growth and success in this region, accomplished through an unprecedented approach to upscale international hospitality.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) continues its rapid expansion in China with the opening today of the 317-room Shanghai Marriott Hotel Parkview, bringing the total number of properties in China under the flagship Marriott Hotels brand to 15. Marriott International manages the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Parkview under a long-term agreement with the owner, Shanghai Bao Hua Group.
Sunny Li has been appointed vice president of development, China at Rosewood Hotel Group, reporting to James Simmonds who is recently promoted to senior vice president of development, Asia Pacific and China. Mr. Li has over 30 years experience in the Hong Kong, mainland China and regional hospitality industry covering development, operations, and sales and marketing at both corporate and property levels. Most recently, he was vice president of development, Greater China at Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Shanghai for three years following a four-year position as director of development, Greater China at Wyndham Hotel Group in Hong Kong. Previously, Mr. Li worked with various hotel groups in Asia Pacific with a focus on sales including Marriott International Asia Pacific, Mega Hotels Management Limited, Delta Hotels & Resorts, Chains Hotels & Resorts and Sheraton Hotels & Towers.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world's premier business travel and corporate meetings organization, have recently announced the appointments of their Advisory Board members for the GBTA China Chapter which is made up of high level corporate travel management experts from local and international companies within the region. Ms. Cinn Tan, Senior Vice President Marketing & Sales of Jin Jiang International Hotels, was appointed to be an advisory board member to lead the supplier team.Jin Jiang International Hotels will be partnering for the second consecutive time with GBTA during its annual GBTA China Conference 2014, to be held from 31 March - 2 April in Shanghai, China. As the main sponsor for the conference, Jin Jiang International Hotels will host the event at their iconic flagship heritage hotel, the Jin Jiang Hotel, in central Shanghai.
Foued will oversee the operations of FRHI's portfolio of hotels in China with a focus on performance, employee engagement and implementation of quality and standards, and will be based in the company's Shanghai regional office. Reporting to Wayne Buckingham, senior vice president, Asia Pacific, Foued brings a wealth of experience working at various luxury hotels in China. Foued joins FRHI Hotels & Resorts from Hyatt Hotels Corporation where he held the position of area director, East China, and was responsible for the hotels in Shanghai, Ningbo, Suzhou and Hangzhou. Prior to this, he was the director of sales & marketing at Swissôtel Beijing from 1998 to 2000. Foued studied Strategic Marketing and Marketing Management at Cornell University; he is also fluent in English, Mandarin, French and Arabic.
Cachet Hotel Group (CHG), announced today the completion of the acquisition of URBN Hotel inShanghai by CHG's co-founderRobert Roche. The transaction was announced as an all cash buyout for an undisclosed sum.
With the aggressive expansion of its over 650-hotel portfolio in China, Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with nearly 7,440 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the appointment of Leo Liu as managing director for China. With over 15 years of hospitality experience, Liu joins Wyndham Hotel Group from ENVY Fine Art China, where he served as founder and chief executive officer. Previously, Liu was vice president, development strategy with Costa Crociere S.p.A. in Pacific Asia and has served as Accor Group’s managing director in China.
Gregor Wateler has been appointed general manager of Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai. He previously held the same position of the Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo.
A Singapore developer known for its upmarket condominiums has inked a deal to build what it says will be the world's largest integrated indoor winter resort in Shanghai. Called Winterland Shanghai, it will boast the world's longest indoor ski trail, KOP Properties said in a statement. The resort will cost 13.5 billion yuan (S$2.8 billion) to build. Chairman Ong Chih Ching told The Straits Times, however, that the project will offer more than just winter activities. The ski resort area will be connected to other facilities within the development including a water park, a tree-lined hiking trail and a "beach club" - an arena resembling a beach - at 100m above ground, she said.
HVS Shanghai has recently released IN FOCUS: Shanghai's Boutique Hotel Scene. As travellers' expectations are becoming more varied, the upscale hotel market witnesses the growth of niche segments. Besides the high-end facilities and standard service, travellers in Shanghai are now looking for very unique lodging experiences In line with the upward trend and strong potential for niche markets, boutique hotel developments are gaining increasing attention from developers in China. Through the review and analyses of seven prominent "boutique" hotels in Shanghai, we see that boutique hotels resonate the themes of the following 5 concepts:
Ms Lee’s major responsibilities will focus on building and fostering relationships with key clients and partners and strengthening the Dusit brand in China. Furthermore, she will play a pivotal role in driving performance and work alongside the Development team as Dusit Fudu continues to expand its portfolio in China.
Tobias Pfister joins as the new Executive Chef of Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, having worked as Executive Sous Chef for eight years at the world’s most luxurious hotel Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Originally from Germany, Tobias has over 18 years’ experience in the industry across Germany, Switzerland, London, Dubai and now Shanghai. Before Dubai, Tobias worked with star chefs including the legendary Swiss chef Anton Mosiman. In his new role, Tobias will oversee the operation of five outlets and banqueting facilities at Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel.
A French national, Alice Mafaity has over 14 years of hospitality experience. In 2007 Alice joined Jumeirah as Assistant Food and Beverage Director at Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. More recently, she worked as the Director of Food and Beverage for Mina A’ Salam Hotel, one of the three hotels in the Madinat Jumeirah Resort Dubai, responsible for the management of nine restaurants and bars. With six years’ experience in Dubai, Alice’s Jumeirah journey now takes her to dynamic China where she will assist the General Manager John Roberts in managing the operations of five outlets, rooms and lifestyle facilities.
Patrick Martinez has been appointed general manager of the hotel and brings more than 20 years of luxury hospitality experience to his new role. He has served as general manager and in senior management positions with Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group and Rotana Hotels.
Thailand-based hospitality group Dusit International and China-based real estate developer Changzhou Qiao Yu Group announce the establishment of Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts, the joint venture hotel management company that will spearhead Dusit International's continued expansion in China. Its major shareholders include Dusit International, Changzhou Qiao Yu Group and noted hospitality veteran Mr Giovanni Angelini, former CEO of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.