"We're pleased to have an opportunity to increase our investment in eLong as we see China as a key market in our efforts to expand internationally," said Dara Khosrowshahi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Expedia. "We have been very happy with the strategic and operational progress made by eLong and look forward to many more years of success."
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will introduce its second Kerry Hotel on 19 November 2011. Marking the completion of the first phase of a multimillion-dollar renovation, Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing will be rebranded as Kerry Hotel, Beijing. It joins its sister hotel, Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai, which launched the brand in February 2011.
Marriott International is further cementing its position as a leader in the hospitality sector in China with the signing of its 100th hotel – the 345-room JW Marriott Hotel Shenyang. Marriott International, which currently operates 56 hotels in China representing The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments brands, has a pipeline of confirmed projects totaling 44 hotels across it brand portfolio.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Pierre Barthes as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai with effect from 1 January 2012.
Located approximately 40 kilometers from Nanjing Lukou International Airport and approximately three kilometers from Nanjing International Expo Centre, the hotel also enjoys a central location within the Jianye District that is walking distance to Jiqingmendajie Metro Station and close to Mochou Lake Park, Nanjing Yunjin (brocade) Museum and Nanjing International Expo Centre.
The expansion in China of hotel chains including Hilton Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels Corp. may be undermined by low demand as four in 10 rooms sit empty. China’s occupancy rate was 61 percent in the first nine months of this year, the same as the year-earlier period and the lowest in Asia after India among 15 countries tracked by STR Global, a consulting and research group. In Shanghai, only about half of hotel rooms were filled, compared with more than 80 percent for Singapore and Hong Kong, it said.
Simon Cooper, President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific of Marriott International discusses the hotel chain's expansion plans in secunadry markets in China. Marriott International has recently announced the signing of its 100th hotel in China – the 345-room JW Marriott Hotel Shenyang. Marriott International, which currently operates 56 hotels in China representing The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments brands, has a pipeline of confirmed projects totaling 44 hotels across it brand portfolio. China is one of Marriott International's most important markets outside of the US, and the company is committed to long-term growth and robust expansion throughout the region. It expects to open a hotel in China at the rate of one per month during the next three years.
Club Med, the world's leading all-inclusive brand with more than 80 resorts from skiing havens in France to tropical paradises in Indonesia, has signed an agreement with China's ChinaPaoShan Group that calls for the pre-opening of a second Club Med resort in China in Guilin, Guanxi Province, in August 2012.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (Fairmont) today announced a new property scheduled to open in 2014 in Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province and the center of technology, business, finance and communications in Western China. Chengdu's Airport is rapidly expanding in tandem with the city's growth, and expansion of facilities and increased global passenger traffic will propel its move into the top five airports in China.
Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, "With strong demand and an increasing affinity for international brands in China, the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Chongqing North is a proud moment as we continue to experience one of the most robust global development pipelines in our brand's history. This hotel will be an exciting new addition to the hospitality offerings in Chongqing and across China as we extending the rewarding and friendly service signature of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand here and around the world."
Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is adding a new luxury hotel to its Chinese portfolio: Swissôtel Chengdu in Sichuan province. With hotels already operating successfully in Shanghai, Beijing, Foshan and Kunshan, Swissôtel Chengdu will be the fifth hotel in China for the international hotel chain of Swiss origin, and its first hotel in the west of the People's Republic.
Mr. Ng will be responsible for developing new business for the company in Greater China. In addition, he will be working closely with the rest of Interstate China senior management team to further develop and oversee the independent hotel management model in the market.
China's hotel market is expected to overtake the United States to be the world's largest from 2025, according to a report issued by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the largest hotel company in the world by number of rooms. It is estimated China will have 6.1 million hotel rooms by 2025, the same as the United States by then. By 2039, the number of China's hotel rooms will reach 9.1 million, four times of the size it is today, said the report, which was based on the figures from the National Bureau of Statistics in China and the United Nations World Travel Organization.
The inaugural Asian Hospitality Technology Education Conference, known as AHTEC @ HOFEX 2011 was held in May at HOFEX 2011, Hong Kong. Building on its premiere achievement, the 2nd edition, AHTEC 2.0 @ FHC China 2012 will be held in conjunction with FHC China 2012, a sister show of H OFEX, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), Pu Dong in November 2012. Co-organised by Hong Kong Exhibition Services Ltd (HKES), China International Exhibitions (CIE) and Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), AHTEC 2.0 @ FHC China 2012 will still be managed by HKES and continue to attract more CEOs, CMO's, CIO's, IT Directors and Head of Operations from the global hospitality industry to share expert perspectives on the ever-changing technology landscape.
"Westin is rapidly branching out across China, fueled by growing enthusiasm among owners and developers who are eager to introduce the popular global brand to some of the country's fastest growing cities," said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader for Westin Hotels & Resorts. "Our emphasis on wellbeing is resonating with travelers across China and around the world. More than 90% of Westin hotels currently in development will open outside the United States."
In the next two years, nearly half of all new Starwood hotels slated to open in China will fly the Sheraton flag. This fall, Sheraton will open its first hotel in Hangzhou and Daqing, its second hotel in Xian and two hotels in Changzhou. This surge in new hotel openings will grow the Sheraton brand's footprint not only in China's largest and most established cities, but also in many of the country's fast-growing metropolises and resort destinations.
Hilton Worldwide has announced the appointment of South African hotelier, John Burger, as general manager of the Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe.
William Yang has sophisticated sales & marketing experience in Westin, Sheraton & Four Points by Sheraton brands as well as online media where he developed his professional and leadership skills. Prior to this appointment, William Yang took leadership role in TravelZoo China, a global online travel media company. Now William Yang designated by Starwood again which he served in regional and property role in Sales & Marketing in past 12 years. He has joined The Westin Xiamen and will be fully responsible for the successful establishment of The Westin Xiamen on all markets. It is certain that the Sales and Marketing department of the Westin Xiamen led by Mr. William Yang will bring distinguished personal service to the travel industry, making sure that business partner and guests will find in The Westin Xiamen the one and only partner they want to send to their guests, friends and families.
In one of the city's largest business districts, Shenyang is considered to be the cultural and industrial centre of Northeast China and describes itself as "a city full of vitality". The hotel boasts extensive event and conference facilities, with space for up to 1,400 people in the grand ballroom and a further 15 conference and meeting spaces.
Wyndham Hotel Group today announced its expansion in China with the signing of franchise agreements for five new construction hotels under the company's Ramada® brand. The properties will join Wyndham Hotel Group's 43 Ramada hotels already in operation in China.