Hilton has once again expanded its presence in downtown Shanghai, underscoring the strategic importance of the Shanghai market.

The newly renovated Hilton Shanghai City Center on West Yan'an Road, previously the Hotel Nikko Shanghai, symbolizes Hilton's focus on the area. This 381-room hotel is strategically located near key landmarks such as the Jing'an Temple and the Shanghai Exhibition Center, catering to both business travelers and tourists.

Hilton's initial entry into Shanghai was in 1988 with the Jing'an Hilton hotel. According to Qian Jin, president of Hilton Greater China and Mongolia, Shanghai is a forward-thinking city with high legal sophistication.

"For us, the Shanghai market is very important. By the end of this year, we will have 20 operating hotels in Shanghai," Qian said.

In addition to the downtown Hilton, the company plans to open four more hotels this year near the Hongqiao airport, in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Jing'an district's Shibei High-Tech Park, and Qingpu district.

Further developments include a Hilton hotel and a Canopy by Hilton north of the Shanghai International Tourism Resort, a Canopy by Hilton at the Legoland Shanghai Resort in Jinshan district, and a Hilton Garden Inn on Changxing Island near Asia's first Peppa Pig outdoor theme park.

Next year, the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan will open, facing the existing Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, making Shanghai one of the few cities globally with two Waldorf Astoria hotels.

Despite the effects from the pandemic in the past years, international hotel groups remain optimistic about the Chinese market. Hilton has been rapidly expanding in China, adding around 100 hotels annually in recent years. This year, the company completed the expansion of 100 hotels in just eight months.

This rapid expansion reflects strategic adjustments driven by market changes. With inbound tourism yet to fully recover and a decrease in large international conferences, international hotel brands are seeing more guests from the Asia-Pacific region and domestic travelers. There is also a shift towards health-conscious travel and a desire for relaxation with family. Hilton's strategy in the Chinese market continues to evolve in response to these trends.

In mid-August, Hilton announced the establishment of its western region, further subdividing its operational regions in China into east, south, west, and north. Qian highlighted the rapid development in the west region, which includes cities like Sichuan province's Chengdu, Chongqing, Changsha in Hunan province, and Kunming in Yunnan province, as well as destinations like Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Lijiang in Yunnan province.

With 155 hotels already operational in the western region and several more in planning or construction, Hilton has been opening a new hotel approximately every three days this year, demonstrating their commitment to further development in China.

Source: Shanghai Observer