China hotels booming - Best Business Hotels In Asia Awards - Brief Article

Business Asia, July, 2002

Business in China is continuing on an upward spiral across the board, and the hotel industry is definitely joining in the ride.

Mark DeCocinis, general manager of the Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai, says the number of five-star hotels in the country has doubled over the past five years.

Room inventory has increased alongside this, growing at about 18 per cent annually in Shanghai, Beijing and other key cities.

"There is growth in other parts of China, but not as significant. Shanghai remains the leader for business destination and growth in the meetings and leisure market," DeCocinis said.

Helping the trade along is the recent inclusion of China in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which DeCocinis says has led to a significant increase in business travellers.

"Our occupancy rate is 83 per cent year-to-date compared to 76 per cent in 2001," he said.

"We have many small companies coming to do research, and the Fortune 500 companies are expanding their offices as a result of WTO."

Increases

The increase in foreign business travellers was largely from North America and Europe.

The Portman Ritz-Carlton is set to be the scene for this year's Best Business Hotel in Asia Awards ceremony--a glamour event attracting top names from around the region.

DeCocinis says the awards on 3 September will be "the most significant hospitality/business event in China".

"The Shanghai Government, together with the National Tourism Bureau Beijing, are extremely excited to be host city and country," he said.

"Bloomberg TV and Business Asia magazine are highly regarded in our industry, and the Chinese government understands the contribution to the country, especially with the positive growth that we have enjoyed in China."

He adds the Awards are also great recognition of the hotel's employees and the people of Shanghai.

A soon-to-be conducted facelift of the ballroom area will add the finishing elegant touches to what promises to be a spectacular affair.

Voting in the Awards is now well underway, with final entries needing to be in by 22 August.

Those wishing to support their favourite hotel can do so with the voting coupon in this magazine, or on-line at www.charlton.com.au.

Any inquiries can be directed to special events and PR Co-ordinator Nicki Sambuco at nicki@charlton.com.au.