EXPANSION FOR CLUB MED
China is a key focus for international resort operator Club Med, which has announced the upcoming pre-launch of its second property for the destination, with more on the cards.
The new resort, which is currently a Relais & Châteaux site, will be located in the southern city of Guilin, a destination known for its scenic backdrop of karst limestone formations. The property will open in pre-launch mode in August next year. In 2013, it will be fully aligned with Club Med standards and as of 2014 it will be in full operation.
The 4-Trident resort will open with 162 rooms - made up of a main building with 116 rooms and a chateau with 46 rooms. A program to expand the resort to more than 300 rooms is planned for the summer of 2013. Especially catering for families, the property will feature two swimming pools, a fitness room and a spa. Activities such as yoga, tai chi, mountain biking and numerous excursions will be offered, as well as child care. Club Med said it is set to strengthen its presence in upscale resorts in China by opening five locations between now and 2015.
MARRIOTT MAKES ITS MARK
Marriott International has further expanded its presence in China, announcing the new 345-room JW Marriott Hotel Shenyang in north-east China.
The company currently operates 56 hotels in the country, representing the Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments brands. It also has a host of confirmed projects in the pipeline, totalling 44 hotels across it brand portfolio.
China is one of Marriott International's most important markets outside of the US. The company is anticipating rapid growth, expecting to open a hotel in the country at the rate of one per month during the next three years. "China is an incredible market and it is a great endorsement of our operations in the country that we have reached the benchmark of 100 hotels open or under development here," said Simon Cooper, Marriott International's managing director, Asia Pacific.
HELEN WONG'S ON SONG
As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations next year, Helen Wong's Tours has introduced a 15-day Cruise and Rail Journey to its recently launched 2012-2013 China program.
The itinerary commences with a flight from Australia to Chongqing where guests visit Dazu with its Buddhist archaeological sites, before boarding a Victoria Cruises vessel for a cruise along the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges.
The river port of Wuhan is also visited after the cruise, along with Huangshan, Nanjing and Shanghai, where guests stay before boarding the high-speed train to Beijing. Sightseeing highlights here include the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China and the historic hutongs (alleyways). The group tour is also guaranteed to go ahead with a minimum of two people.