Can you introduce Crowne Plaza Shanghai Harbour City as well as the options offered to meeting planners in the area?
As the first and the only island hotel in Shanghai, Crowne Plaza Shanghai Harbour City is sitting on the South Island of the scenic Dishui Lake, Harbour City, Pudong, Shanghai. Designed by ATKINS which is the design house for the famous BurjAl-Arab, Crowne Plaza Shanghai Harbour City is stylish and elegant, looking just like a flower blooming in the water. The hotel offers 330 comfortable guest rooms most of which are with balcony that offering a graceful view of Dishui Lake. Guests can lounge in indoor and outdoor swimming pools, exercise in tennis court or mini golf putting greens, dine in 5 restaurants, bars and lounges, unwind in soothing SPA or choose from one 1050 sqm pillar-free ballroom and 9 inspiring function rooms. The well-equipped facilities and the thoughtful service will truly make the hotel a perfect place for leisure, business and meeting.
Crowne Plaza Shanghai Harbour City just opened a few months ago, what is the hotel strategy for the forthcoming months?
Because of the special location and structure, the hotel is a perfect place for meeting and conference, therefore, MICE market will be the one we rely on. Besides the well-equipped in-door facilities, the hotel owns 100,000 sqm greens and gardens which are ideal for teambuilding. Recently, the hotel has launched special meeting packages for meetings of 10 persons or above. Half Day Meeting Package includes 4 hours usage of meeting room, 1 coffee break and 1 Chinese or Western set menu dinner, only at RMB 358+15% per person. Full Day Meeting Package includes 8 hours usage of meeting room, 2 coffee breaks and 1 Chinese or Western set menu dinner, only at RMB 428+15% per person.
How do you foresee 2012 for hospitality in China?
After the Euro zone’s debt crisis, it is not optimistic about the state of the global economy. The economic recovery can be slightly seen in the United States and Japan, but the economy in Europe is not improved yet. For that reason, the number of foreign tourists from outside of China is down, especially visitors from Europe. In 2012, thus, the hospitality in China will be count on the domestic tourists.
Can you describe your work as Crowne Plaza Shanghai Harbour City General Manager?
In my point of view, working as a General Manager of a hotel is like playing the role of a supporter. What I need to do is to do my best to support all department heads, to organize, to coordinate, to give enough training and to do whatever I can do to them, to make sure the hotel can be operated smoothly to reach the stated goals.
Where does your passion for hospitality come from?
I have been in this industry for more than 22 years. Hospitality is a ‘people’ industry, which means you will meet hundreds of different people from all round the world with various backgrounds every day. And I am a ‘people’ person that I enjoy being with people. Obviously, that is where my passion for hospitality comes from. In addition, IHG has a lot of charity activities. On 19 July, for example, we are going to hold a cooking competition called “Cuisine for Charity 2012”. Through these activities, I could find a way to show we care to the society and to help more people who do need help.
What is your best memory during your career in hospitality?
I have been through several new-opening hotels and some re-branding hotels during my career in hospitality. To open a new hotel is like to deliver a baby and to re-brand a hotel is like to act as a cosmetic surgeon. Both of them are very exciting and full of fun. To see a new hotel or re-brand hotel starting to make profits and make guests satisfied are really the best memory in my career.