The city prepares to enter the big league of world-class five-star accommodation
Guangzhou hoteliers are looking forward to welcoming more luxury hotels to the city after the municipal government decided to open up the market, saying increased competition will raise service standards and help put the city on the international map.
The city has not had any new five-star hotels for years, but will enter the big league when world-class luxury hotels such as the Shangri-La, next to the Guangzhou International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Pazhou, open over the next two years.
Other hotels being built include the Ritz-Carlton, Crowne Plaza and Grand Hyatt, while the Sheraton and Westin groups are also looking at Guangzhou.
The Guangzhou government says the city needs 14 new five-star hotels with a total of 7,500 rooms to meet demand during the Asian Games in 2010.
Hoteliers say the city government is on the right track because Guangzhou needs top-flight branded hotels if it is to be recognised as an international city.