International Forum on China Hotel Brand Development

Organised and hosted by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Fourth International Forum on China Hotel Brand Development kicked off on Wednesday, at PolyU’s teaching and research hotel, Hotel ICON.

Despite being pioneered by the SHTM in 2007, this is the first year the forum is taking place in Hong Kong.

The forum was founded in response to the fast expanding opportunities in the hospitality industry in China. It focuses on the development of hotel brands in China and has been successful in providing an interactive platform for industry practitioners and academics to share experience and exchange views. This year’s forum takes the theme “New Vision, New Market and Brand Innovation”.

“I am pleased to note that, due to our location and history, our School is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in facilitating the development of China’s hospitality industry,” said Professor Kaye Chon, Dean and Chair Professor of SHTM. “We see hosting the forum as one way to engage our industry partners, researchers and academics to collaborate closely in enhancing the international competitiveness of hotel brands in China.”

 Some of the key topics featured at the forum include:

• Views from the top leaders of the hotel industry in the region
• Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau’s hotel markets outlook in 2011 and beyond
• Hotel brand development and management in the new competitive market environment
• Brand innovation: Integrating different perspectives and different approaches
• Branding experience and strategic plans of leading international and domestic brands in China
• Investing in brands: Finding the “best” brand for your hotel
• Developing future leadership for the hotel industry of tomorrow

Experts in the hospitality industry will share their views in the forum, including:

• Dr Che-woo Lui, Chairman of The Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners and Chairman of K. Wah Group
• Mr Xu Jinzhi, Vice Chairman, China Tourist Hotels Association
• Mr James Lu, Executive Director, Hong Kong Hotels Association
• Mr Paul Foskey, Executive Vice President, International Hotel Development, Marriott International
• Mr Stephen Ho, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions and Development, Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels and Resorts
• Mr Nong Xia, Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Development, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
• Mr Romain Chan, Group General Manager, Miramar Hotel and Investment Co., Ltd.
• Mr Paul Walters, Vice President – Brands, Langham Hospitality Group
• Mr Frankie Chan, Vice President – Development (Greater China), Regal Hotels International
• Ms Alison Yau, Director of Business Development, Rhombus International Hotels Group Inc.
• Ms Katherine Wong, General Manager, Prince Hotel

China has become one of the most visited destinations in the world. Recent statistics from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) estimated that China will attract 130 million inbound tourists in 2020, with an average growth rate of 7.8% from now until 2020.

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