The chief executive officer of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) announced that most of its hotels in China are gradually resuming full operations. The executive claimed that the reopening of mainland China hotels is the first step for the brand's recovery process since the pandemic.
The president for Hilton Greater China and Mongolia Qian Jin announced that 250 hotels in China's mainland have resumed to full operations. When the pandemic hit China, about 150 branches were on temporary closure to comply with the government's precautionary measures against the virus.
Qian revealed that reopening all its hotels in China would allow the company to measure global recovery, claimed the president and CEO of Hilton Chris Nassetta. He also noted that the brand is looking for brighter days ahead, especially in China.
Operations have resumed since May 5, 2020. During such time, nearly one-third of the hotel chains were temporarily closed due to the pandemic. According to the chief executive officer of IHG Greater China Jolyon Bulley, the hotels in the pipeline also resume the construction of some establishments.
He added that China is IHG's second-largest market. He also noted that it is the country that offers faster growth for the hotels. Thus, he maintains his confidence with a long-term outlook for China's hospitality industry.
Bulley also commended China for its development of urbanization, thereby increasing the disposable income of its citizens. He also claimed that the country improved its tourism infrastructure and enhanced other factors that offer continued growth of China's hotel market demand.
In other news, Star Tribune reported that Shanghai Disneyland also reopened its doors this Monday. The move was the company's first effort in rolling back against the pandemic effects to its business after the establishment had to shut down.
Shanghai Disneyland closed its doors since January 25, 2020, in line with social distancing guidelines. At present, Disney guests are required to wear protective gear such as face mask and designate a safe distance between customers and customer service personnel.
According to a spokesperson for the National Health Commission in Beijing Mi Feng, there have been double-digit increases in coronavirus cases in the last 10 days. Out of the 17 new cases, seven of which were labelled imported while five originated from Wuhan. During a news conference last Sunday, Mi reminded residents and visitors in China to avoid social gathers and alert the authorities or seek medical advice, including getting themselves tested at the first sign of symptoms.
