Search China Travel News:

Accor will be opening 10 new hotels in China this year, boosting its portfolio in the country to 23 properties.

Accor Asia-Pacific chairman, Mr David Baffsky, told a trade media lunch in Hong Kong the opportunities in China were greater than anywhere else on earth.

He said about eight per cent of 2003 revenue of US$8.5 billion came from the 210 hotels the company has in Asia-Pacific. Mr Baffsky also tipped continued growth in Japan and India, as well as China.

Pointing out the importance of domestic travel, he said that in 2002 estimates were that eight out of 13 Chinese went on a domestic trip. By 2019, he said, China would have a phenomenal 22,000 passenger aircraft.

Among the new properties starting this year will be new Sofitel and Novotel properties in Shenyang, Anshan and Shenzhen. As well as these upmarket brands, their will also be economy branded hotels opening in Chengdu and Qingdao.

The group also announced it was to take management for the Sofitel Anting next to Shanghai's newly completed Formula 1 circuit.

The 450-room property will open in late 2005 with two f&b outlets, a 1,800m2 conference hall and Accor will also manage the adjacent 400,000m2 convention and exhibition centre.