Can you fill me in on the background to New World Hotels International and the Jing Guang New World Hotel?
The Jing Guang New World is owned and developed by Beijing Hua Yang Economy Development Company and Hong Kong Jing Guang Development.
The five star hotel is the tallest building in China at 209m high and is divided into offices, apartments and 492 rooms.
The hotel is managed by New World Hotels International, a Hong Kong-based management company with 3 hotels in Hong Kong,1 in Macau and 7 in mainland China. New World claims that its return on investment has been faster than expected, with occupancy levels rising from 52 per cent in 1991 to an average of 70 per cent in 1992.
The other six properties managed by New World Hotels International in China are the China Hotel in Guangzhou, the Dragon Hotel in Hangzhou, the Gui Shan Hotel in Guilin, Yangtze New World Hotel in Shanghai, Grand New Hotel in Xi'an and New World Aster in Suzhou.
Does the group see China as a growing market?
China is definitely a growing market. The fastest growing and most promising consumer market at this point in time. China is booming!
To what extent does China suffer from an overcapacity of rooms?
Beijing has perhaps suffered from an over capacity of hotel rooms in the past, but with more and more airlines flying into Beijing and with the improved situation at Beijing Airport, the influx of leisure and business travellers is very encouraging.
Do you feel that growth lies with the tourist or the business traveller? What is your hotel doing to cater to each of these types of visitor?
China's economy is moving very fast and business men from all over the world are taking advantage. Tourism has also increased the Jing Guang New World Hotel's client base is as follows: FIT 68 per cent, quality groups 27 per cent and conference delegates 5 per cent.
What do you feel that the New World group has to offer the foreign traveller that other hotels do not?
The New World group is amongst the most serious hotel chains in southeast Asia, offering international first class hotel accommodation in all major PRC cities at this stage.
Is there any one nationality that you particularly attract at the Jing Guang?
The guest mix at the Jing Guang New World Hotel is highly diversified, with many Europeans from the UK, France, Italy and Germany as well as the US, Canada, Australia and southeast Asia.
Can you give me an idea of your prices for 1993?
Our winter rates offer standard room accommodation, with airport shuttle transfer, extended check out, and free admission to the health club, for US$55. A superior room, with extras including a complimentary breakfast, 10 per cent discount on valet services, 30 per cent on the barber/beauty salon for US$70. For US$180 per night you can have deluxe suite accommodation with such extras as complimentary limousine transfer to and from Beijing Airport, complimentary use of the Dynasty club lounge, with all its priviliges, inclusive of complimentary breakfast and cocktails.
Summer rates are effective between June and August. Peak season is September to November ? the best tourist season, when the weather is fantastic.
How does China differ from other Asian countries in terms of finding staff, the needs of the guests, the sup-port of the rest of the tourism industry?
The hotel industry is a versatile and challenging work field in China as well as in other parts of Asia, and there is no doubt that the prestige and the possibilities to move fast "lip the ladder" is very attractive for employees. Salaries are good and a 5-star hotel like the Jing Guang New World Hotel is always attracting quality staff that are suitable for this demanding field ? able to serve the most finicky customers.
What do you feel is the greatest challenge facing the New World in the next decade?
Since the New World Group is rapidly expanding, and with quite a few new hotels due to open in the next few years I think the challenge is there already.
New World Hotels International is a well established yet progressive group, running very successful hotels for one simple reason ? we always look at new ways of pleasing our customers. *
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