Move over Shanghai and Beijing — there’s a new kid on the block when it comes to tourism investment in China. The city of Guangzhou is finally coming into its own and China Southern Airlines has revealed it is planning a four-fold increase in capacity to Australia within the next three years. “Australia is one of our fastest-growing markets because of the key role the country is playing in China’s energy and resources boom and because tourism between our two countries is growing at an unprecedented rate,” regional general manager Henry He said.
To fill its new flights between Australia and the main hubs of Beijing and Guangzhou, he said the carrier was broadening its appeal beyond the business travel market and the visiting friends and relatives market to leisure, events and group travel. “Our main pitch for Australia and New Zealand is three-fold — fares that are up to 30% cheaper, greater frequency and quicker access to Guangzhou, our main hub and the capital of China’s fastest growing economic and shopping zone on the Pearl River Delta and an easy train ride from Hong Kong and Macau.”
China Southern recently revealed it will add a second daily service on its route between Guangzhou and Melbourne from October 30 and will launch a three times weekly service between Beijing and Perth via Guangzhou from November 8.
And there’s plenty happening on the accommodation front too, with Sofitel Luxury Hotels recently opening the 493-room Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich. Located in the heart of the Tianhe central business district, the hotel is minutes from the East Railway Station, which connects Guangzhou to Dongguan, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide will open seven more hotels in China before the end of September, including its first for Guangzhou. The 445-room Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel will be located in the heart of the Tianhe central business district. And 45 minutes by car from downtown Guangzhou will be the Sheraton Guangzhou Huadu Resort. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, the resort will feature more than 100 deluxe rooms, villas and suites. And in 2012, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will unveil a new property in Guangzhou.