Chains Detail China Strategies At Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific#
Over the past week, some of the world's top hotel chains have unveiled their China expansion plans at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific in Hong Kong. As the Independent notes today, Hyatt, Wyndham and InterContinental continue to see huge potential in the Chinese market, even after the hotel "boom" that kicked off in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and picked up steam last year in anticipation of the Shanghai World Expo.
From the Independent's coverage of this year's conference:
Hyatt announced a total of 11 new properties, confirming that four new hotels would be opened next year in Ningbo, Jinan, Guiyang and Qingdao, a mix of areas designed to target both business and leisure travelers.
InterContinental unveiled new properties for its "lifestyle" brand Hotel Indigo October 13, aiming for expansion into "energetic cities" such as Xiamen and Taiwan.
Wyndham announced plans for a further three properties in one place - the popular island of Hainan, already home to some of the country's best resorts.
It will build three resorts in Boao, including the 350-room Wydham Boao Resort and Conference Center and the 106-room Wyndham Boao Resort, set to open in 2013 and situated on a private beach with three outdoor swimming pools.
The grandest project is the 300-room Wyndham Grand Boao Resort and Spa, a luxury retreat scheduled to open in 2017 which features an indoor pool, extensive spa and fitness facilities, two restaurants and a bar.
Jing Daily has written previously about the bullishness of top hoteliers regarding the Chinese tourism and accommodations industry. With domestic tourism -- particularly among the "new middle class" in smaller interior cities -- and business travel increasing, and the Chinese government putting its weight behind initiatives like Hainan Island's luxury makeover, there should be ample capacity for new construction in second- and third-tier cities and resort towns alike.