Meliá Hotels International has indicated that it plans to keep increasing its footprint in China amid the pandemic, as the Spanish hotel group celebrates the opening of the luxurious Gran Meliá Chengdu.
The ongoing recovery of the APAC region’s travel industry represents ‘a sign of hope for the rest of the industry worldwide’, Meliá asserted while announcing the launch of its newest property. We take a closer look at the latest announcement from the high-profile group, which believes that its growth and geographic diversification is proving to be a significant help in resisting the worst effects of the crisis.
Expansion and recovery
In the face of continued damage caused by Covid19 across the world, China is proving to be a pioneering example for international hotel companies’ recovery, according to Meliá. The China Tourism Academy stated that over 90% of the country’s hotels and tourists have now reopened, along with around 60% of China’s travel agencies; more than 80% of the country’s population is also said to have a desire to travel this year.
With this in mind, Meliá has resumed an expansion plan that aims to double its presence in China within two years, taking the number of hotels in operation from five to ten. In addition, the rise in demand for hotels and the reactivation of China’s domestic travel market has given the group the assurance it needed to open the ultra-luxury urban resort Gran Meliá Chengdu at the end of September 2020.
From Chengdu to Zhengzhou
The new resort spans more than 28,000 sq m of land in the south of Sichuan’s capital, Chengdu. Facing Jincheng Lake, this retreat provides an oasis of tranquillity in the centre of the city.
The hotel’s seven buildings fuse the traditional ‘Shu-Han’ design seen throughout Chengdu with modern aesthetics and lush gardens. Here, 265 guest rooms lie alongside a spa, fitness centre and heated indoor pool, accompanied by more than 3,500 sq m of event space and five dining venues serving up everything from traditional Chinese dishes to Iberian cuisine. On top of this, the exclusive RedLevel offering provides additional personalised service and private facilities.
As well as signifying the continued growth of the Gran Meliá brand, the launch of Gran Meliá Chengdu and the upcoming opening of Gran Meliá Zhengzhou are intended to build on the success Meliá has seen in China since the introduction of Gran Meliá Xián five years ago.
“In a situation as complicated as the one faced by the international travel industry, the fact that we can celebrate the opening of a new hotel in China is a great reason to be happy and should also send a message of optimism and confidence with regard to the future,” said Bernardo Cabot, vice president of the region for Meliá Hotels International.
“Meliá has been firmly committed to China for many years, building relationships with key players in the industry, consolidating our brands and gaining the trust of the market. That is why we are very proud that, at a time like this, our presence here is even more valuable.”
Meliá Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca and is one of the world’s largest resort hotel chains, as well as Spain’s market leader.
