EAST Beijing, "Lifestyle Business Hotel," Set For September Launch

Business Travel Spending In China Expected To Increase 17% In 2012 & 21% In 2013 Located in Jiangtai, in Beijing's Chaoyang District, EAST Beijing , Swire Hotels' second hotel in the Chinese capital (after the celebrated Opposite House at Sanlitun Village) is set to open its doors this September. Aimed at China's emerging business traveler, EAST Beijing -- situated between the fourth and fifth ring roads within INDIGO -- will be the fourth property opened in Asia by Swire Hotels and second EAST location, joining its sister property in Hong Kong. The 369 room hotel, which includes 23 suites, is 15 minutes from Beijing Capital International Airport and sits close by the city's CBD and Wangjing area, a plus for those visiting on business, while guests looking for a little more culture can easily make it to the 798 Art District and Caochangdi. Though Beijing has no shortage of high-end hotels, and the case could be made that the city may have too many, with EAST Beijing Swire is placing a bet on the growing business travel market in China, which -- according to some projections -- could surpass the United States as the world's largest as soon as 2015. This year, according to a report by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), business travel spending in China is expected to grow by 17 percent in 2012 and 21 percent in 2013, up to US$202 billion and $245 billion respectively. From 2000 to 2011, business travel spending recorded over 16 percent aggregate annual growth in China, driven mostly by "MICE" (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition) business trips attended by an overall real spend-per-trip rise. By comparison, business travel expenditure in the United States is expected to register far more muted growth rates, reaching US$233 billion in 2015. Looking to capture more of this business spending, international hoteliers have been impressively agile in expanding their brands into the business travel space. This year alone, both Accor and InterContinental Hotels Group have announced new China-focused brands aimed specifically at this market. With EAST, Swire is hoping to balance the more pragmatic needs of the business traveler -- proximity to Beijing's business centers and the airport -- with their growing health, dining and leisure demands. Facilities at EAST Beijing include Beast ("Body by EAST"), featuring a full gym and swimming pool, an executive lounge on the 24th and 25th floors, two restaurants (the international-minded Feast ("Food by EAST") and Japanese Hagaki ), and bar and lounge Xian . As Brian Williams, Managing Director of Swire Hotels, said of the new hotel, "Continuing with what we’re doing in Hong Kong, our philosophy for the EAST brand is to create a lifestyle business hotel that is going to rejuvenate you when you are tired; energise you when you are in search of fun; and support you when it’s time for business.” Opening in late September, EAST Beijing will offer special debut rates from 798 yuan (US$125) per night for single or double occupancy rooms, including complimentary WiFi. The offer will run through December 31, 2012. EAST Beijing 北京东隅 22 Jiuxianqiao Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016 中国北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路22号100016 Tel: +8610 8426 0888 www.east-beijing.com

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EAST Beijing, "Lifestyle Business Hotel," Set For September Launch