Booking Hotels Reservations

If it was not enough to announce its new Pullman line Robert Murray, Accor’s assistant president for the Greater China Region said global hotel chain Accor plans to open between 15 and 26 hotels under its economy hotel brand name of Ibis in 2008 and 2009 in China.

By the end of 2008, Ibis will be in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Suzhou and Harbin. The Ibis hotels are expected to serve businessmen in the country’s second-tier and third-tier cities, where costs are relatively lower.

Accor has opened 12 self-run Ibis hotels in China since its entry, compared to many other foreign hotel giants, which mainly manage hotels for local businesses.

There is still room for the growth of the Chinese economy hotel market, said Robert Murray, who disagrees with the widespread belief that it would suffer a hard landing in the near future.
Source: Trading Markets

author Gareth Powell, source www.chinaeconomicreview.com

After nearly four years in China and 48 signed hotels, Days Inn China is now planning to double its growth rate in 2008.

To achieve this goal, Days Inn China is adding a new leasing business to its existing management and franchise model, where leasing and converting existing properties will become a significant part of its growth strategy.

Days Inn China is now exploring partnership opportunities with real estate owners nationwide.

In the near future, Days Inn China’s leasing business will undoubtedly parallel the growth seen with its existing franchise and management divisions.

Harry Tan, CEO of Days Inn China, said, ‘People tend to believe that luxury hotels and budget hotels enjoy a better positioning than mid-range hotels. We, however, have a different viewpoint. The pricing of high-end hotels is getting increasingly prohibitive, which as a result makes some guests turn to more affordable alternatives. At the same time, more and more business travelers are beginning to seek out more comfortable accommodations with higher standards. We recognize that the majority of leisure travelers today have increasing levels of discretionary income and would prefer mid-range hotels over budget hotels.’

Days Inn’s parent company Wyndham Hotel Group is the largest hotel group in the world, with more than 6,400 hotels worldwide representing more than 535,000 rooms. Days Inn has over 160,000 rooms in more than 1,800 hotels on five continents.

Days Inn China has almost 12,000 rooms in 16 provinces covering 29 cities, including provincial capital cities, second and third tier cities.
Source: Xinhua PR Newswire

author Gareth Powell, source www.chinaeconomicreview.com