New Sofitel in southern China targets growing MICE sector

Accor's luxury Sofitel brand is coming to Hainan Island in southern China early next year with the opening of the Sofitel Boao Hainan.

This latest addition to the Sofitel network is located one and a half hours drive from Haikou Airport on private Dong Yu Island. Sofitel Boao is fronted by a stunning white-sand beach that features a nearby fresh water lagoon and beautiful palm tree-lined ocean views of the South China Sea. There are also two championship 18-hole golf courses under construction near the property, one on the mainland and one adjacent to the hotel.

Boao Aquapolis on Hainan Island was the site of the inaugural Asia Forum in early 2001, and Chinese Premier Zhu Rong-Ji is scheduled to host the next annual event of world leaders at the Sofitel Boao when the hotel opens in April 2003.

Each of the 436 guest rooms will have at least 51sqm of living area and offer the latest amenities and attractive interior design and furnishings. The hotel features 34 suites, four restaurants and two bars, an executive lounge, swimming pool, fitness centre, squash court, two tennis courts, beauty salon, game room (snooker-Majong), duty free shopping area and large indoor theatre.

The hotel's extensive conference and meeting facilities will make it a leading player in the regional and domestic MICE sector. Once completed the Central Conference Hall will measure 2,600sqm, while another multi-function ballroom offers 1,500sqm of sellable space. There are also an additional 15 conference rooms ranging in size from 64sqm to 320sqm.

The management contract for Sofitel Boao Hainan marks the second agreement between Cosco Salim Property Group Company Ltd, and Accor, the first being Novotel Atlantis in Shanghai. Cosco Salim Property Group Co Ltd President, Mr Xu Ze Xian, said he was pleased to expand the company's co-operation with Accor.

"Accor's extensive management experience in Asia, together with its prestigious Sofitel brand, is an excellent combination. I am very confident that Sofitel Boao will become the top MICE hotel in China, and amongst the best in Asia."

Accor Senior Vice President - China, Mr Reggie Shiu, said Sofitel Boao Hainan would appeal to China's growing domestic conference and exhibitions market.

"Hainan Island is already well established as a popular domestic leisure and MICE destination. In April 2002 Accor launched a new sales and distribution network in China, with an office in Shanghai, targeting the Chinese domestic market. This should help push additional conference and exhibition business to the Sofitel Boao Hainan."

According to Mr Shiu, the Sofitel Boao will also benefit from Accor's powerful worldwide sales and reservation network and strong brand recognition from the company's growing Sofitel network around China.

Accor currently manages the Sofitel Hyland Shanghai, Sofitel Silver Plaza Jinan, Sofitel Zhengzhou, and recently rebranded the Sofitel Jin Jiang Oriental Pudong Shanghai in April this year.