Shanghai gets second Waldorf Astoria

Hilton opened its second Waldorf Astoria hotel in Shanghai recently, as the group greeted its 888th hotel under operation in the country — a move that reinforces the US hospitality company's continuing efforts to expand its business boosted by domestic and inbound travel.

The opening underscores the company's deep commitment to the Chinese market as its sets sights on doubling its presence in the region in the coming years. Hilton currently operates 11 brands in China, covering more than 280 destinations.

"Reaching 888 hotels in China is a powerful symbol of Hilton's deep-rooted commitment to this dynamic market," said Alan Watts, president, Asia-Pacific, Hilton. "China continues to be a key part of our long-term growth strategy as demand for travel and experiences continues to rise. Our bold plans to double our presence over the coming years reflect our optimism for the growth prospects in the country."

Located in Qiantan, Pudong New Area, the new Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan sits on the southern stretch of the city's New Bund. The property offers 204 rooms and suites, starting at 52 square meters, combining design with modern luxury.

Shanghai has now joined Dubai and Doha as the only cities in the world to host two Waldorf Astoria hotels. Over the past 15 years, the luxury brand has expanded its footprint in China with properties including those in Shanghai; Beijing; Chengdu, Sichuan province; and Xiamen, Fujian province.

"The presence of these two grand luxury icons in Shanghai is a strong signal of the depth and breadth of opportunities in China's hospitality landscape," said Qian Jin, president, Hilton Greater China and Mongolia. "From luxury, lifestyle, full service to focused service segments, we've built incredible momentum across the country."

Hilton has been accelerating its growth in the luxury and lifestyle segments, announcing several new signings this year, including the Waldorf Astoria Shenzhen, Guangdong province, slated to open in 2028, and an LXR Hotels & Resorts property in Tianjin, set for 2030. The company plans to exceed 100 luxury and lifestyle hotels across China in the coming years.

Regionally, Hilton aims to surpass 250 luxury and lifestyle hotels across the Asia-Pacific, adding to its global portfolio of over 1,000 operating properties and another 500 in the pipeline.

Qian said Hilton's confidence in the country's hospitality market is underpinned by the continued rebound in leisure travel and the evolving preferences of travelers.

"As consumers pursue new lifestyles — traveling, connecting with nature, socializing and exploring new destinations — the demand for quality hotels naturally grows," he said.

In the first three quarters, domestic consumers made 4.99 billion trips, a year-on-year increase of 18 percent, while domestic tourism spending reached 4.85 trillion yuan ($680 billion), up 11.5 percent compared to the same period last year, said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Oct 20.

Qian said that Hilton's hotels performed strongly during the recent eight-day holiday, better than expectations.

"This robust growth clearly reflects the recovery of consumer confidence and the sustained release of travel demand. In the next two years, we expect a gradual increase in inbound tourism," he added.

wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn