Starwood Reveals Major Expansion in China
As part of the continuous development of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc., the hotel giant has announced the plan of its global powerhouse Sheraton Hotels and Resorts to open eight more hotels in China before the end of 2010 and another 18 by 2015.
To date, the Sheraton brand recently celebrated a major milestone with the opening of its 30th hotel in Greater China– Sheraton Zhongshan Hotel – and Starwood’s 60th property in Greater China.
“Sheraton is our most prolific brand in China, accounting for half of Starwood’s current portfolio in this dynamic, fast-growing market. We are delighted to expand Sheraton in established cities like Beijing and Shanghai, while simultaneously introducing the iconic hotel brand to emerging business hubs and resort destinations,” said Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood.
“China is leading the recovery in global tourism in 2010, and by 2020, it is expected to be the world’s largest tourism market. And as the Chinese pick up the pace of their domestic and international travel, they are going to stay with the brands they know, which will have a phenomenal impact on our global business,” Turner added.
Later this year, Sheraton will open Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel, signifying the brand’s debut in the city of Guangzhou, southern China’s largest city and a major transportation hub. Other key 2010 openings include the brand’s third hotel in Shanghai – Sheraton Shanghai Hong Kou Hotel, a 490-room hotel that only be a mile from the Bund – one of the city’s landmarks. Meanwhile, Sheraton’s second footprint in Beijing – Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel – will open on 2011.
Starwood’s largest brand is also set to open Sheraton Zhongshan Hotel in Zhongshan, which will offer 362 spacious guest rooms, 3 restaurants and bar as well as 2,250 square meters of meeting space; Sheraton Wuxi Binhu Hotel, Wux, which is nestled in the heart of the Binhu district, adjacent to a retail mall, dining and entertainment district; Sheraton Tianjin Binhai Hotel in Tianjin, which is one of the fastest economic zones in mainland China; Sheraton Wenzhou Hotel in Wenzhou, which will offer 303 guest rooms including 76 suites, each created for a relaxing stay, with a well-appointed bathroom, wireless high speed internet access in addition to Sheraton brand’s signature programs; Sheraton Jiangyin Hotel in Jiangyin that boasts its own attached convention center with almost 3,700 square meters of flexible conference and event space, and state of the art meetings technology including a 2,100 square meter Grand Ballroom; and Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort, located in Wanning, where guests can enjoy various recreational options on a tropical paradise that boasts 8 kilometers of white sandy beaches and beautiful coves.
Stephen Ho, Senior Vice President of Development for Starwood’s Asia Pacific Division, said that they are delighted with the robust growth of the hotel brand in various Chinese cities.
“Starwood continues to win many new hotel projects in China and this is largely due to the confidence the development community has in our lifestyle brands, noted innovations and consistently strong delivery of results in the region,” Ho said.
Global Brand Leader for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Hoyt Harper said that the exceptional success of the brand in China has been influential in establishing Starwood as the leading worldwide luxury and upper upscale hotel developer in the country.
“Sheraton recently completed a $6 billion revitalization campaign, and now we’re investing another $5 billion to add approximately 35 new hotels to our portfolio by the end of 2015. The fact that half of these new properties are opening in China underscores the tremendous potential of this vast, dynamic market, where the rising middle class is clamoring for high-caliber, global brands,” Harper added.
Meanwhile in 2011, Starwood will open the doors of Sheraton Hangzhou Wetland Park Resort to the public. The said resort is the first Sheraton hotel to open in China’s most promising new resort destination.
Sheraton currently boasts a portfolio of 400 hotels in 75 countries and 92% brand awareness among business travelers, higher than all other global hotel brands.
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