Wanda’s new president unveils international expand plans

Qian Jin, the newly-appointed president of Wanda Hotels & Resorts, has unveiled his plans for the growth of the Chinese luxury hotel brand, including the launch of its first overseas properties.

At an event in Taiyuan, jointly organised by Wanda and the China Tourist Hotel Association, Qian announced his aims for the luxury Wanda Vista brand to an audience of more than 300 guests.

“Wanda Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to its company mission to uphold Chinese values, build mutual respect, and perform beyond expectations. Even as we are shaping this international brand, we hope to stay true to this mission and bring Eastern hospitality to the world,” said Qian.

“We aim to be the leading hotel choice at each destination, embracing Chinese tradition and values to deliver an outstanding experience for both business and leisure travelers, domestically and internationally,” he added.

Under the group’s international expansion plans, Wanda Vista hotels will rise in “central and strategic locations” in key global cities. The company will also seek distinctive buildings with “cutting-edge architecture” with the aim of creating new “local landmarks”.

Wanda Vista Taiyuan was the luxury brand's first hotel when it opened in 2012
Wanda Vista Taiyuan was the luxury brand’s first hotel when it opened in 2012
Wanda is targeting 2018 for the launch of its first international Wanda Vista hotels. Initially, the company is looking at six key global destinations: London, Madrid, Sydney, Gold Coast, Chicago and Los Angeles.

The first Wanda Vista luxury hotel opened its doors in Taiyuan, the capital of northern China’s Shanxi province, in 2012. By the end of 2014, the brand had expanded to 10 cities in mainland China, including Shenyang, Yantai, Tianjin, Taiyuan, Lanzhou, Changsha, Kunming, Nanning, Dongguan and Quanzhou.

In September this year, Wanda Vista Resort Xishuangbanna, located in southwest China’s Yunnan province, will become the company’s first resort property, and in November another Wanda Vista hotel will open in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.

By the end of 2020, Wanda Hotels & Resorts aims to own and operate more than 160 hotels worldwide.

Qian Jin joined Wanda recently following a 30-year career with Starwood. Since 2012, he served as the US-based hotel group’s president for Greater China and helped establish the company’s regional office in Shanghai.

“It is a very exciting time for Wanda Hotels & Resorts, I look forward to working closely with the management team to take the company to a new chapter, further reinforcing Wanda’s leading position in the international market,” Qian said.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia