Pacific potential

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Shanghai, the largest city in China, is widely regarded as the financial centre of one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Statistics published by the US-China Business Council in June 2007 showed that the country's GDP had grown 11.1% in the first quarter of 2007 with similar growth expected in the second quarter, and China's economic success has helped turn the Asia Pacific region into the fastest growing travel market in the world, stimulating 60% of growth according to the Pacific Asian Travel Association (PATA).

"Shanghai, as part of China, is one of the world's most vibrant, progressive and fastest growing cities, striving to become one of the most prominent financial centres and Asia is the world's fastest growing travel market with international bookings up by 22% in 2006 alone," adds Serge Zaalof, senior vice president Asia Pacific for Jumeirah Group.

The Dubai-based hotel and hospitality group has noticed the potential of Shanghai and accepted an offer last year from Shanghai Lixing Hotel Limited to manage a new hotel development in the Luwan District in central Shanghai.

The 338-room HanTang Jumeirah Shanghai will open in mid-2008 and be part of a 52-hectare development in the residential area of Puxi.

"Shanghai is the largest city in China and the ninth largest in the world. It is the citadel of China's modern economy and the most important commercial, financial, industrial and communications centre in China," explains Zaalof.

"This positioning brings a lot of demand from both business and leisure travellers to the city, therefore providing luxury hospitality companies such as Jumeirah, with great opportunities to establish themselves and grow in this market."

Zaalof notes that according to the UN World Tourism Organisation, by 2020, China will be the leading inbound destination in the world with 130 million tourists and the fourth largest outbound destination with 100 million tourists.

Jumeirah has identified the Asia Pacific region as a key geographical growth area and the HangTang Jumeirah Shanghai will be the group's first property in Shanghai.

"Shanghai has some very prominent hotels and five-star brands and many other luxury hotel brands have plans to open as well," says Zaalof.

"Shanghai is expected to be home to 8000 more four- and five-star hotel rooms by 2008. This demonstrates the huge demand and confidence investors, developers and hotel operators have in this destination."

Jumeirah's new hotel is expected to attract corporate travellers primarily because of its location, but Zaalof explains that Jumeirah has a strong global following of repeat guests and that the group's reputation for owning and managing luxury resorts in Dubai is likely to drive a leisure clientele to Shanghai.

To ensure they are well catered to on arrival, the HanTang Jumeirah Shanghai will be hiring several Arabic-speaking staff.

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