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business opportunities at Hong Kong Polytechnic University�s first-ever U.S. seminar NEW YORK � MARCH 22, 2007�Dr. Tim Gao, Chief Executive Officer of Beijing-based TEDA Hotels Management Company Ltd. and an expert on China�s rapidly expanding hotel and tourism market, will be sharing his knowledge as a featured speaker at the Seminar on China Hotel & Tourism Development, to be held at New York�s Le Parker Meridien April 27. The first-ever U.S. event is being co-sponsored by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University�s School of Hotel & Tourism Management and Hotel Online. In a presentation entitled �The Development Trend in China�s Hotel and Tourism Industry,� Dr. Gao will focus on why the hotel marketplace in China is expanding so rapidly, what kinds of properties are needed there, and which regions of China offer the most significant development opportunities. �Inbound and outbound tourism has increased by double digits over the few years, and as a result there is a similarly growing need for developing local hotel brands and chains into regional ones and even global ones in China,� Dr. Gao says. �As such, China desperately needs expertise in global brand and chain management. It is my opinion that American hotel chains and brands may well see this scenario as a significant opportunity to extend their presence into China through property and asset exchange, co-branding or brand acquisition.� Dr. Gao will talk about the fact that because profit margins in China's independent hotels have been considerably lower than those of their counterparts that carry well-known chain or brand names, there is an ever increasing demand for:
Dr. Gao also will discuss segment opportunities for U.S. hotel developers and franchisors�and there is no shortage of these opportunities in various China markets. �Four-star and above hotels are now managed by international hotel chains, while most of the two-star and below hotels are managed by local chains,� he says. �Thus, there is an urgent need for developing the mid-scale and the limited-service market, especially in the well-developed coastal areas, where business travel is booming. �In my opinion, it is high time now for the American hotel brands�such
as Hilton, for example�to enter the midscale hotel market in the coastal
areas and the full-service hotel markets in the inland areas, which are
still very attractive to international travelers,� he says.
 Registration The registration fee for the Seminar on China Hotel & Tourism Development is US$1,000 per person. For registration of three or more person from the same organization, the registration fee is US$500 per person. The fee covers the full day program, one lunch and two coffee breaks. For more information about
the Seminar on China Hotel & Tourism Development
Cancellations received in writing before 15 April 2007 will be accepted and fees refunded less US$100 administration expenses. No refund thereafter. Venue Le Parker Meridien
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Asia will emerge in the future as the global centre for excellence in hospitality and tourism businesses. This trend will be largely influenced by strong demand for international tourism activities in Asia, growth and success of Asian-based multinational companies in hospitality businesses and, most importantly, the strong hospitality culture and human resources unique to the region. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) is uniquely positioned to ride on these 'Asian Waves' and play a leading role in hospitality and tourism education in Asia. Established in 1979, the Department of Institutional Management and Catering Studies was renamed as Department of Hotel and Tourism Management in 1992. The Department was designated a School in October 2001, which became an independent and autonomous academic unit within the University structure in July 2004. According to the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research in 2005, SHTM was rated No. 4 in the world among major academic institutions in hospitality and tourism based on research and scholarly activities, exemplifying the School's motto of Leading Asia in Hospitality and Tourism Education. For more information, visit www.polyu.edu.hk. |
