Boasting 264 rooms with four room types, voco Shenzhen Bantian Cloud Park is scheduled to open in 2027 as part of phase 3 of Bantian Tian An Cloud Park, one of the major platforms along the Guangzhou-Shenzhen sci-tech innovation corridor.
Fast growth
IHG believes that introducing voco to Guangdong province can bolster its brand portfolio in the region, satisfy the diverse needs of Chinese guests and owners, and boost the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s (GBA) development into a cultural exchange hub and tourism destination.
As one of the first international hotel groups to enter China, IHG has been growing in the local hotel industry for decades. Greater China is now IHG’s fastest-growing market worldwide, with over 1,000 hotels opened and in the pipeline. This year, the celebration of IHG’s 600th hotel opening milestone in Greater China is evidence of the group’s continued investment and sustained development in the country.
First international brand
IHG currently has 12 brands in operation with a footprint in over 200 cities in Greater China. As the first upscale international hotel brand to enter China in the post-covid-19 era, voco will mainly be present in first- and second-tier cities. The group created voco with a solution for quick conversion, to make it fast and easy for owners of high-quality, independent hotels to become part of IHG’s system. As the global expansion of voco continues, IHG is tracking well against its growth goal of 200 voco hotels in attractive urban and leisure locations around the globe within 10 years. Other Chinese vocos imminently opening include the 161-key voco Shanghai Hongqiao Business CBD and the 368-room voco Hotel Changzhou Fudu Grand.
The signing of voco Shenzhen Bantian Cloud Park is not the first time that IHG has collaborated with Shenzhen Tian A Yuncheng Investment Development Group Co Ltd. Even Hotels Shenzhen Guangming Cloud Park and Holiday Inn Express Shenzhen Guangming Cloud Park are already in the pipeline, which has proved the successful strategic partnership between the two companies.
Expansion engine
Jolyon Bulley, CEO, IHG Greater China, said: “Greater China is IHG’s second largest market globally and a significant growth engine for the group. As a role model for multinational companies in China, we understand that growth can only flourish through dedication and hard work. IHG has leveraged its in-depth market insights and local operational experience to grow steadily in the China market. With a highly enriched brand matrix, we will continue to innovate to meet consumer demands and provide long-term support for national development plans.”
Daniel Aylmer, MD, IHG Greater China, remarked: “Rooted in Greater China for 47 years and serving the mainland market over 38 years, we have closely kept in step with the national strategies and regional policies, including our long-term efforts to hotel development in Shenzhen and the GBA. So far, 48 IHG hotels have opened, and 49 are in-pipeline in Guangdong Province. Through this strategic signing, we will work closely with Shenzhen Tian An Yuncheng Investment Development Group Co Ltd to create a reliable and caring guest experience and demonstrate our commitment and confidence in GBA.”
Development drive
Yang Yi, MD, Shenzhen Tian An Success Investment Development Group Co Ltd indicated: “We own a solid foundation of cooperation with IHG. Upon this new signing, both groups will jointly leverage their strengths and resources to create more high-quality hotel projects. Actively responding to the GBA’s strategic position as a quality living circle for living, working and travelling, we empower regional and urban development of GBA with win-win principles.“
Kent Sun, chief development officer, IHG Greater China, added: “As one of the world’s top three largest information and communication technology clusters, the development of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen sci-tech innovation corridor will also bring abundant corporate and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) demands. Voco will continue focusing on conversion opportunities that combine the informality and charm of an independent hotel to achieve comfortable guest experiences. We are also looking forward to cooperating with local owners to bring international services to GBA and further drive hotel industry development.”