The Marco Polo Hotel Group Unifies Hong Kong Branding

In a move to strengthen brand identity and to clearly identify Marco Polo Hotel Group-managed properties in Hong Kong, the group will rename The Hongkong Hotel, The Marco Polo, Hong Kong and The Prince, Hong Kong effective October 26, 2000.

The Hongkong Hotel, which has 32 years of brand equity, will become The Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel; The Marco Polo, Hong Kong will become The Marco Polo Gateway to identify with the new Gateway complex in Harbour City and The Prince, Hong Kong will become The Marco Polo Prince.

John Girard, General Manager of the three hotels explained: "This is a strategic move recognising The Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel as the flagship of the Group. Co-branding with the management company's identity will aid customers in the international markets to clearly understand the hotel's affiliation with The Marco Polo Hotel Group and the ease of booking through the Marco Polo Hotel Group's world-wide distribution system."

In a related move, Omni Saigon Hotel, managed by the Marco Polo Hotel Group since its opening in 1994, will be identified as Marco Polo's Omni Saigon Hotel. According to Michael Kalyk, the Group's President "the addition of 'Marco Polo' as a co-brand to the Omni Saigon Hotel will enhance the marketing reach of the hotel as a member of the Marco Polo Hotel Group in promotion and advertising campaigns, as well as electronic distribution systems such as the Internet."

"The Marco Polo brand is well known in the Asia Pacific region and recognised around the world for quality, consistency and good value. The brand unification taking place in Hong Kong will enable the Marco Polo Hotel Group's loyal customers to more readily recognise and book their favourite Marco Polo Hotel", said Mr Kalyk.

Coinciding with the launch of the new branding, the Marco Polo Hotel Group has redesigned its website, www.marcopolohotels.com, which is now linked to the Group's global reservations system, allowing customers to receive instant confirmation of their hotel bookings.

The Marco Polo Hotel Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Wharf (Holdings) Limited, has a portfolio of seven properties in Asia: The Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, The Marco Polo Gateway and The Marco Polo Prince in Hong Kong; The Marco Polo, Xiamen and The Marco Polo Beijing in Mainland China; The Marco Polo, Davao in Philippines and Marco Polo's Omni Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.