Thursday, July 31, 2008

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Announces its 100th Hotel in China


Starwood Solidifies Its Position as Number One Operator of International Upscale Hotels in China; Underscores Aggressive Expansion Worldwide


SINGAPORE--- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) marks a milestone in its aggressive growth in Greater China announcing its 100th hotel there, with the signing of the Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel. (top right photo)

As the first international hotel chain to enter China when the historic Great Wall Beijing Sheraton Hotel opened in 1985, Starwood today is the largest international upscale hotel company in China and continues to grow its footprint there with the expansion of its brands including Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, aloft, Four Points by Sheraton and W hotels in established and emerging cities as well as resort destinations.

“With strong domestic demand, an increasing affinity for global brands and international inbound travel on the rise, our opportunity in China is perhaps unsurpassed anywhere in the world,” said Simon Turner (middle right photo), President, Global Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
“What’s more, by 2020, China will generate over 100 million outbound trips a year, more than triple its current output, making it one of the largest origins of outbound travel in the world. As the Chinese travel abroad, they look for brands they know, and therefore Starwood’s development in China today, has significant implications for our hotels worldwide.”

A dominant player in the upper-upscale and luxury hotel market in China, Starwood is poised to grow in other segments as well, and the company will debut its new select service brand, aloft, in China this September with the opening of the aloft Beijing, Haidian. Designed with the DNA of W Hotels, aloft targets younger, style-conscious consumers.

“We expect healthy expansion as we launch aloft throughout China and continue to expand our established upper upscale and luxury brands in various Chinese cities where we are currently under penetrated,” commented Miguel Ko,(middle left photo) President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “Starwood continues to win many new hotel projects in China and this is largely due to the confidence the development community has in our lifestyle brands, noted innovations and consistently strong delivery of results in the region.”

CONTACT:

Hwee-Peng Yeo, Director, Corporate Communications, Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Ltd, 9 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Tower 2, #24-02, Singapore 038989.
Tel : +65 6335 4837; Cell : +65 9768 6087; +65 9248 0424 Fax : +65 6335 4820
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/;

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