China Newswire » Search Results » Guangdong

2011 IHG Beijing Cluster Charity Golf Tournament

Intercontinental Hotels Group — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:07:31 +0000

Beijing, China (August 02, 2011) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — Over the last six years, the IHG Beijing Cluster Hotels have been working closely with the China Youth Development Foundation to raise much-needed funds to provide children in China’s poverty-stricken areas with the opportunity for an education.

This year the IHG Beijing Cluster Hotels will host their 7th Charity Golf Tournament on the 3rd of September at the Oriental Pearl Golf Course. The event will commence with an 18-hole round of golf, with snacks and refreshments served on the course. The game will be followed by a gala dinner and charity raffle at the wonderful clubhouse.

We appreciate your support and look forward to your continuous generosity.

Participating Hotels (by brand)
Intercontinental Beijing Financial Street
Intercontinental Beijing Beichen
Crowne Plaza Beijing Wangfujing
Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town
Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace
Crowne Plaza Beijing Parkview Wuzhou
Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun
Crowne Plaza International Airport Beijing
Holiday Inn Beijing Focus Square
Holiday Inn Down Town Beijing
Holiday Inn Central Plaza Beijing
Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven Beijing
Holiday Inn Beijing Deshengmen
Holiday Inn Beijing Chang An West
Holiday Inn Beijing Haidian
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Zhongguancun
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Wangjing
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Huacai
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Shangdi Beijing

About IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns, through various subsidiaries, over 4,500 hotels and more than 650,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club Rewards with 52 million members worldwide.

IHG has 1,300 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 160,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media

About IHG’s School Project with the China Youth Development Foundation
The China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) is a national non-profit and non-governmental organization founded in March 1989 in Beijing. The CYDF works to develop Chinese youth through education, science and technology, culture, physical education, health and environmental protection. The CYDF is best known for launching and managing its largest programme to date, "Project Hope" . Project Hope has sought to help school dropouts in poor remote regions return to school and complete at least an elementary education.

By the end of 2009, Project Hope had raised over RMB 6 billion in donations, helped 3.5 million children from poverty-stricken rural families continue their schooling, built 16,355 Hope primary schools, presented the Hope mini-library series to 14,636 village schools in remote areas and trained over 60,000 village primary school teachers. As a result of consistent effort by staff and supporters alike, Project Hope has become one of the best-known and most successful charity programs in the country.

In November 2007, IHG set up the IHG Project Hope Fund and became an official partner of the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF). The transparently managed fund is dedicated to supporting young dropouts in poverty-stricken areas through Hope Schools, vocational education and scholarship for college/university students. As the first charity fund in China connecting hotels, guests and donors, it not only prolongs the mission of IHG to fulfill its corporate social responsibility, but also promotes the concept of social responsibility among a wider group of people. The creative approach of "donating RMB 5 upon check-in" provides hotel guests with easy opportunities to contribute to worthy causes. The programme has won great support from the nearly 150 IHG hotels in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.

As of December 1st, 2010, RMB 6,582,229.38 has been collected for the IHG Project Hope Fund, and RMB 5,920,000 has been used or slated to be used. The 11 IHG Hope Schools in Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Guangdong, Sichuan, Shanxi, Gansu, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei and Shandong provinces have been built or are currently under construction, with four out of 11 officially in use. Other charity activities by IHG include donations to Hope Classmate for Earthquake Relief Sichuan, investment in vocational education and the IHG Academy Scholarship.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Feng WANG
Marketing Communication Manager of Holiday Inn Beijing Focus Square
Tel: 86 10 6473 3333 – 6909
Email: feng.wang@ihg.com

Aloft, Starwood's Sizzling "Style-At-A-Steal" Brand Continues Expansion In China

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:38 +0000

With the debut of seven new hotels by 2013 in the region including Nanhai, Haiyang, Shangjie and Zhengdong New District in Zhengzhou, Dalian, Guangzhou and Yamcheng

Shanghai, China (April 15, 2011) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — Starwood Hotels & Resorts recently announced the opening of Aloft Nanhai, Foshan on February 1, 2011, the second Aloft hotel to open in China after the debut of Aloft Beijing Haidian in 2008. To continue the brand expansion in the region, six more Aloft hotels will debut by 2013 including Haiyang, Shangjie and Zhengdong New District in Zhengzhou in 2011, Guangzhou in 2012, Dalian and Yancheng in 2013.

"Starwood's new Aloft brand offers style, design and high tech touches at an affordable price. We are thrilled to introduce Aloft to China's fast-growing markets like Nanhai, Haiyang, Zhengzhou as a new choice and a unique experience for international and domestic travelers," said Stephen Ho, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific.

Aloft, the sizzling "style-at-a-steal" brand has rocked the global hospitality industry since launching in 2008. Aimed at Generation Y, Aloft is Starwood’s design-led, social-experience brand that has enjoyed the fastest ramp-up of any brand in hotel history. As a young, tech-driven society, China will become a key market for Aloft’s development outside of the United States.

Aloft Nanhai, Foshan
Opened on February 1, 2011, Aloft Nanhai, Foshan is conveniently located near the Nanhai Science and Technology Park in Foshan, Guangdong Province. Surrounded by numerous high-tech businesses, research centers and leading universities, this new hotel is part of an exciting, new mixed-use complex including the Foshan International Convention and Exhibition Center, offices and residential buildings. 252 guest rooms feature the brand’s signature nine-foot ceilings, oversized windows and the ultra-comfortable bed, as well as oversized walk-in showers and amenities created by Bliss® Spa. Each aloft room is also a combination high-tech office and entertainment center equipped with wireless internet access and plug & play, a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry all linked to a 42” flat-panel, HDTV-ready television.

Aloft Zhengzhou Shangjie
Scheduled to open on April 30, 2011, Aloft Zhengzhou Shangjie is a fresh, fun and forward-thinking alternative for travelers in Zhengzhou city. Located in the hub of the industrial zone-Shangjie district in Zhengzhou, the hotel will offer 172 urban-inspired, loft-like rooms and suites with nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows to allow for more natural light, leading edge plug & play connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetries such as PDAs, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops – all linked to a large flat panel HDTV ready television for optimal sound and viewing. Aloft Zhengzhou Shangjie will have the brand’s signature products including re:mix, w xyz bar, re:charge, re:fuel, splash and so on.

Aloft Haiyang
The 165-room Aloft Haiyang will set to debut in June 2011 and be part of a mixed-use complex including hotel, residential apartments, villas, retail pedestrian street, pier and so on. The new hotel will be strategically located in Haiyang, a coastal city in the peninsula province of Shandong in east China. Under the administration of Yantai City, Haiyang is known for its national forest parks, wetland reserves as well as beach and yacht activities. Haiyang will also be the host city for 2012 Asian Beach Games.

Aloft Zhengzhou Zhengdong New District
Aloft Zhengzhou Zhengdong New District will consist of 293 rooms, approximately 4,176 square feet of meeting space, three food and beverage outlets, including splash and re:charge. Ideally located in Zhengdong New District, the hotel will be scheduled to open its doors in December 2011.

Aloft Guangzhou, University Park
Set to be open in May 2012, Aloft Guangzhou, University Park will be ideally located in the Guangzhou University Park on Xiaoguwei Island, north of Xinzao Town of Panyu District in the south eastern part of Guangzhou. The hotel is approximately 35 minutes drive from the Tianhe Central Business District and 20 minutes drive from the Guangzhou International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Pazhou Island. Being part of the mixed-use complex, this new hotel will introduce style at a steal to the gateway city with 300 spacious, loft-like rooms, accessible technology and a vibrant, social atmosphere.

Aloft Yancheng
Located in northeastern Jiangsu province, this 250-room Aloft Yancheng will open in January 2013. Within 15 minutes drive from Jiangsu Yancheng Economic Development Zone and Tinghu Economic Development Zone, the new hotel will be situated in the city’s new Central Business District and next to Yandu Park, the biggest park in Yancheng. Yancheng, literally “Salt City”, is named after the many sea salt harvest fields around the city.

Aloft Dalian
Aloft Dalian will include 350 rooms, two food and beverage outlets as well as more than 16,000 square feet of meeting space. Opening in January 2013, the hotel will be located in the city center of Dalian, Liaoning Province’s economic, financial, commercial and tourism center and one of China’s major trading ports.

For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

About Aloft Hotels
Created to shake up the staid, traditional select service segment of the hotel industry, the Aloft brand delivers style at a steal with urban-influenced, modern, open and vibrant design – and a social guest experience – at an affordable price point. In the same way that W Hotels broke through the clutter of conformity in the upscale hotel arena more than a decade ago, Aloft is shaking up the industry for the next generation of traveler. Aloft hotels are geared toward savvy, design-conscious consumers who grew up with the democratization of design. Building on its tech-savvy DNA, the brand recently pioneered the industry’s first "keyless entry" automatic check-in program at Aloft Lexington in Massachusetts. With nearly 50 hotels open in the two years since Aloft first arrived on the scene and nine more opening in 2011, Aloft can be found everywhere from Abu Dhabi and Baltimore to Dallas and Beijing and everywhere in between. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

Aloft Hotels, like all brands within Starwood’s portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest® program, which offers a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. To learn more, please visit www.spg.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1025 properties in 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Angela Feng
Regional Public Relations Manager, China
Telephone:+86 21 6141 7716
Fax: +86 21 6391 8220

Two Hotels of OCT East Theme Hotel Cluster Win 2010 Golden Pear Awards

The Interlaken OCT Hotel Shenzhen — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:51:18 +0000

Beijing, China (December 06, 2010) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — On 25th November, 2010 Golden Pear Awards which was proudly organized by GHM Hotel General Manager Association, with Let's go Magazine, was held at Venetian Macau, Macau. Based on the strict criteria, two hotels of OCT East Theme Hotel Cluster, called The Interlaken OCT Hotel Shenzhen and Oasis O•City Hotel Shenzhen, were awarded as 2010 The Best Business Traveler-Beloved Resort Hotels and The Best Business Traveler-Beloved Theme Hotels in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau, for their excellence in service and consistency in quality control.

"This inspiring achievement cannot be achieved without the support from our staff", said Mr. Henry Tay, the General Manager of OCT East Theme Hotel Cluster, "And we would go ahead for always delighting our guests."

OCT East Theme Hotel Cluster located in OCT East, Yantian district and adjacent to Dameisha. As one of the favorable tourism destination in Shenzhen, it took more than 5 years for OCT East Shenzhen and OCT International Hotel Management Co., Ltd to complete the theme hotel cluster, which contains more than 1300 rooms, including the Interlaken OCT Hotel, Parkview O•City Hotel, Otique Aqua Hotel, Otique Aqua Hotel (West Wing), Mahayana OCT Boutique Hotel, OCT East Express Hostel, Oasis O•City Hotel and Cargo Hostel, can serve the needs of both business and leisure travelers with unique programs and unusual amenities designed to make travel as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Abby Zhang
PR Coordinator
The Interlaken OCT Hotel Shenzhen
Tel: +86 0755 8888 3333 – 6118
Fax:+86 0755 8448 6018
M.P. +86 135 9013 5544
Email: abby.zhang@octeasthotels.com
Hotel Website: www.octeasthotels.com

Universities across China complete online learning pilot programs

IPS — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:10:24 +0000

Beijing, China (July 31, 2009) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — Intelligent People Solutions (IPS) launched Web Based Computer Programming Instruction pilot programs with 15 universities in China. The pilot programs began in February of 2009 and included universities in Shanxi, Guangdong, Hunan, Liaoning and Special Administrative Regions, Beijing and Shanghai.

The pilot programs introduced Codelab to Chinese Introductory Programming Students; Codelab is a web-based interactive programming exercise system for introductory programming classes in Python, Java, C++, C and other languages. IPS assisted universities participating in the pilot program by customizing Codelab content to match each school's syllabus and textbook requirements.

"The customization work was actually quite easy as many of the schools used text books written in the West. It was gratifying however to see how quickly Chinese students grasped the programming concepts and moved on to more advanced exercises," commented David Arnow, lead developer for Codelab.

The Ministry of Education in China reports over 2.3 million students enroll in introductory programming courses each year. University enrollments are on the rise and vocational and independent universities, which are joint ventures between State Schools and Private organizations, have benefitted the most by accommodating students who are not eligible to enter into a State university.

"By establishing the reputation of learning tools, like Codelab, with State run Universities, we are positioning our self for the much more lucrative private education market", remarked Alistair McArthur, Sales and Marketing Director for IPS. "Less than two thirds of university graduates are employable, but their families are more than willing to invest in educational and vocational resources that will provide their children an advantage, and that is the market IPS is targeting".

For more information about IPS please visit www.discoverips.com, or call their Corporate Offices in Beijing, China at +86-10-6464-0108.

This press release was prepared by, Michael Iannini, and he can be reached at michael@nics.com.cn.

Guangzhou International Travel Fair to be held again next March

Hannover Fairs China Ltd. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:57:14 +0000

Hannover Fairs join hands with IFEMA to build a more int'l GITF

Guangzhou, China (January 12, 2009) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — Guangzhou International Travel Fair 2009 (GITF 2009) will grandly open in Guangzhou Jinhan Exhibition Center from March 26-29 next year. Lasting 4 days (last edition: 3 days), the GITF 2009 is set to open to the trade visitors on 26-27 and to the public on 28-29. Exhibitors will also enjoy one more day (from 23 to 25) for booth construction on-site. GITF 2009 is expected to cover 15,000 sq m, accommodating 460 exhibitors with 45 percent from overseas.

Succeeding the great success of the 2008's edition co-organized by Hannover Fairs, GITF 2009 will be once again showcasing a lineup of tourism products from different countries of the world, providing rich travel packages featured by exotic character. The fair, with its unique character of "Professional and International", will present an excellent tourism display for both exhibitors and visitors.

With the rapid development of domestic economy in recent years, Chinese tourism industry is booming by leaps and bounds. According to the National Tourism Administration, China is one of the countries with huge potential and fastest growth in outbound tourism market, what's more, Guangdong Province ranks one of the most important tourism destinations and visitors sources in China. 2008 first half year's statistics show that Guangzhou is head on the top list among other tourism cities of China in terms of all the key index on tourism industry: welcoming a total of 52.858 million guests (+3.14%), including 2.917 million from overseas (+4.53%). These figures once again prove that Guangzhou, the South Gate of China, still enjoys huge potential in tourism market, thus propelling the good development of GITF.

IFEMA joins in for a higher level of professionalism
From 2009, Spanish Feria de Madrid (IFEMA) as the co-organizer will join hands with Hannover Fairs Shanghai to operate GITF jointly. Founded in 1980, IFEMA is now the largest exhibition company in Spain, also taking a lead in Europe. Its organized FITUR is one of the three largest and most influential travel fairs in the world. FITUR 2008 held this February witnessed a turnout of over 13,300 exhibitors from 170 countries and regions on the net show area of over 100,000 sq m with visitors totaling up to 260,000.

Relying on Hannover Fairs worldwide network, great appeal to international visitors and exhibitors as well as IFEMA's successful experience in organizing FITUR, the both parties will team up to enhance the international influence of GITF." Through the collaboration with IFEMA, we will definitely build a more professional travel show further promote its rapid growth and establish a unique platform providing global professionals with latest travel information and opportunities to seek potential business." remarks by Mr. James Fu, General Manager of Hannover Fairs China.

Highly featured with fascinating events
To further stimulating the domestic tourism market, National Tourism Administration will carry out a series of new measures at the beginning of 2009 including more investment in tourism infrastructure, public service facilities, country side tourism and domestic recreation plan. In line with the market demand, the organizers therefore work out GITF, which features "wide spectrum of exhibits, clear division of exhibition area, rich concurrent events", benefiting exhibitors and visitors to the utmost extent.

GITF 2009 will cover 12 exhibition categories including National/Regional Travel Organizations and Tourist Association, Travel Agencies, Hotel, Hotel Group and Holiday Camps, Tourism Attractions such as Theme Parks, Resorts & Golf Courses, Airlines, etc and the organizer will divide the exhibition area elaborately according to the categories. National tourism administrations from over 20 countries and regions will attend the fair by group and bring visitors fancy tourism information at Oversea Group Exhibition Pavilion. Air Pavilion will present special customized service provided by air companies from home and abroad, whose new flight routes are sure to be popular among businessmen. International Travel Agency Pavilion, Hotel & Resorts Pavilion and Tourism Attraction Pavilion are all going to be eye-catcher of the tourism lovers who will get rich travel products and holiday information ranging from prosperous business area tour to fascinate landscape tour. What's more, local tourism administrations and group agencies from different part of the country will present various tourist resorts and routes in the Domestic Exhibition Group Pavilion that had proved very popular among domestic tourists in previous editions. Worth to mention, the organizer will cooperate with the tourism administrations and travel agencies of major tourism provinces and cities to launch special theme promotions, such as "Preferential Sichuan Tour", "Colorful Yunnan", and "Charming Shanghai with Wonderful EXPO", "Romantic Stay at Beautiful Sanya" and "Travel to Birthplace of Hero, Enjoy the Fancy of Grassland in Inner Mongolia", etc.

Under well preparation of the organizers, Guangzhou Forum 2009 – International Eco-Tourism Development, themed on ecological tourism, will be held in correspondence with GITF 2009 on 26th March 2009. Experts from governments, tourism and hotel industry, entertainment and other fields will take steps towards discussing the hot topics in tourism industry so as to promote the development of ecological tourism. Besides, a series of concurrent events will add to the wonder of the show, including: International Tourism Golf Game 2009, providing a wonderful opportunity not only for the leaders to learn from each others' golf skills, but also for them to discuss together the future development of tourist industry; Buyers Night will provide a platform for free conversation between buyers, exhibitors and relevant parties coming from afar.

GITF 2009 in preparation will welcome more professionals on-site. Hannover Fairs will also spear no efforts to expand the coverage of buyers' invitation from the resource of cooperation with IFEMA and strategic alliance with FIera Milano. Sponsored by Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration and Tourism Administration of Guangzhou Municipality, two leading fair company's team-up will further help boost the internationalization of GITF, building the event as one of the most important international travel trade fairs in Asia-pacific region, providing an excellent platform for global insider to overview latest information on tourism market and to seek potential business opportunities.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Mr. Winson Wu / Ms. Karry Wang / Ms. Sarah Pan
Hannover Fairs China Ltd. – Shanghai
Rm. 301, B&Q Pudong Office Tower
393 Yinxiao Road, Pudong
Shanghai 201204
Tel: +86 (0)21 – 5045 – 6700, Ext. 253 / 242 / 318
Fax: +86 (0)21 – 5045 – 9355
E-mail: karry.wang@hfchina.com
E-mail: sarah.pan@hfchina.com
E-mail: winson.wu@hfchina.com

New Market Environment For Sheraton Huizhou Beach Resort

China Newswire — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:46:25 +0000

Huizhou, China (November 6, 2008) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — Following the hot summer, the hotel market of Xunliao Bay in Huizhou would enter a low season for the second half year as before. With the winter days drawing nearer, how will the high level Sheraton Huizhou Beach Resort with subtropical theme change this situation for the global economy in current depression circumstances? Today, Sheraton Huizhou Beach Resort welcomed its first group meeting of multinational company EPCOS in the autumn-winter season. Developing in the Pearl River Delta and targeting international conferences have become a brand new operation mode in Xunliao Bay.

EPCOS was floated simultaneously on the Frankfurt and New York Stock Exchanges on October 15, 1999. The listed company emerged from Siemens Matsushita Components, a joint venture founded in 1989 by Siemens and Matsushita. Since March 2003, EPCOS has been one of the largest companies in the TecDAX index of German technology stocks. This time in Sheraton Huizhou Beach Resort, the company has held an expansion meeting of all teams in Great China region.

The company's organizers said that an international company has lots of group meetings every year, and EPCOS selected Sheraton Huizhou Beach Resort considering specific factors such as traffic, environment and facilities. If the company chose a hotel in Sanya or Bali, the expenses for round-trip flights and meeting space rental under the same conditions as Sheraton Huizhou Beach Resort would not be the best choice under the entire economy circumstance at present. An effective meeting and brand services with persistence and high efficiency are vital to a company, and it can ensure all participators rejuvenate themselves and improve team coordination, thus to get more effective communications and cooperation through a group meeting. The high-quality meeting facilities and environment offered by Sheraton Huizhou Beach Resort can quite meet our requirements. There are a total of 172 persons participating in this meeting, and all of them showed active involvement and attitude toward the meeting held in the seaside area.

The management of Sheraton Huizhou Beach Resort said that it will take advantage of its international brand image and strong sales network to develop in the Huizhou market, and the winter in South China seems like a spring for the northern area so that it is not a bad choice to hold a meeting here. Due to international economy depression, our resort is also the first choice for the companies that require a high quality and low cost meeting. The facilities include a large ball room, a spa, a beach, a golf course, a tennis field, sea fishing, a hot spring, bicycling, and a traditional village. To keep a pure natural seaside environment has become a supporting factor to host an international group meeting. Meanwhile, the expansion of corporate meetings has also changed the market situation of Xunliao Bay in winter.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sheraton Huizhou Beach Resort
1 Jinhai Road, Xunliao Bay, Huidong, Gguangdong, P.R.China 516367
Tel: (86 752) 832 8888 Fax: (86 752) 832 8999

Qatar Airways CEO Briefs International Media On Airline's Expansion Plans

China Newswire — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:20:20 +0000

Akbar Al Baker Addresses Journalists In Guangzhou Celebrating Success Of Latest Route To China

Guangzhou, China (April 17, 2008) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker today spoke of the airline's successful introduction to Guangzhou, and its ambitious growth plans, highlighting further expansion into long-haul markets over the next few years.

Addressing Chinese and international media at a press conference marking the airline's newest route launch to Guangzhou, Al Baker said the airline was determined to open up further services as part of an aggressive expansion plan to serve exciting business and leisure cities around the world.

He cited the Doha – Guangzhou route, launched on March 31, as an example of the airline's commitment to introduce flights to key cities in countries with thriving economies.

Guangzhou is Doha-based Qatar Airways' fourth destination in China and 82nd overall worldwide. The airline now operates a total of 20 scheduled flights a week to China from its hub to Beijing (4 flights), Shanghai (5 flights), Hong Kong (daily) and Guangzhou (4 flights). Beginning May 1, the carrier adds a fifth frequency to Guangzhou – Qatar Airways' 15th destination in the Far East.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 62 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 82 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Far East and North America. Starting November 10, Qatar Airways will launch direct non-stop services to Houston, its third destination in the United States.

Al Baker hailed the airline's expansion into China as a measure of continued support for one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

"Our new route builds on the success of Qatar Airways' operations across China in such a short few years since we launched flights to this dynamic economic landscape in 2003," he said, speaking during the press briefing at the Westin Hotel.

"We have steadily built up our business in China, first with Shanghai, then Beijing and Hong Kong – and am now pleased to see our award-winning Five Star service expand to yet another key city. Guangzhou offers both business and leisure travellers an alternative gateway to this fascinating country."

Added Al Baker: "Qatar Airways looks forward to welcoming passengers from Europe, Middle East and Africa on the new flights to Guangzhou via our Doha hub. The route provides a strong sporting link as Doha hosted the biggest ever Asian Games in 2006, while Guangzhou is set to host the next Asian Games in 2010.

"We have taken an important step to fly to Guangzhou, and as we grow our business, we will look at similar opportunities far and wide across the world."

With outstanding orders for more than 200 brand new aircraft worth over US$30 billion, Al Baker said deliveries over the next few years will be the catalyst to open up new routes worldwide.

"With our ideal central geographical position in the Gulf, we will soon be able to operate flights to any key city around the world non-stop, thanks to the arrival of the Long Range version of our Boeing 777 aircraft later this year," explained Al Baker, who later officially opened the airline's new sales and reservations office in the heart of Guangzhou's business district.

"The Boeing 777-200LR is capable of flying distances of around 17 hours non-stop and gives Qatar Airways' passengers a unique flying experience. We will open up exciting new diverse business and leisure routes worldwide with this fabulous aircraft, including Houston."

Qatar Airways has ordered 32 Boeing 777 aircraft – a mix of the Long Range and Extended Range versions – together with other aircraft types, including 60 Boeing 787s, 80 Airbus A350s and five Airbus A380 super jumbos.

During his presentation, Al Baker updated media on the construction of the New Doha International Airport, which would help facilitate Qatar Airways' huge expansion.

Reclamation work on the project has been completed as 60 per cent of the site is built on land dredged from the sea. Both runways are taking shape and terminal infrastructure is well under construction. The airport is due to open in 2010 with an initial capacity of 24 million passengers a year, rising to 50 million during the final development phase from 2015 onwards.

Al Baker also spoke of Qatar Airways' commitment to a cleaner and safer environment, stressing the airline was spearheading a top-level international study looking at Gas-To-Liquids fuel (GTL) to power passenger jets.
Qatar Airways operates an Airbus A330 aircraft to Guangzhou in a two-class configuration of up to 24 seats in Business Class and a maximum 248 seats in Economy.

Guangzhou, also known by its older English name of Canton, has a population of almost 10 million people and is the capital of Guangdong province. Situated on the Pearl River, the city is only 120 kilometres northwest of China's thriving business capital of Hong Kong.

Qatar Airways is one of an elite group of carriers with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry research company. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways' cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fifth year running in 2007 following a survey of more than 15 million passengers. Qatar Airways carries around 10 million passengers a year. For more information, log onto www.qatarairways.com. For further information on the New Doha International Airport, visit www.ndiaproject.com

For further information on Qatar Airways' award-winning Privilege Club frequent flyer programme, log onto www.qmiles.com where members can check their account balance online, as well as book reward tickets for travel.

[smpr_tags]Qatar Airways, Airline's Expansion Plans[/smpr_tags]

Qatar Airways To Launch Flights To Guangzhou

China Newswire — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:59:38 +0000

Southern Chinese Industrial Port City To Be Served Non-Stop From Doha

Four-A-Week Scheduled Flights Begin March 31

Qatar Airways First Gulf Carrier Into Guangzhou As Airline Widens Presence Across China

MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS

[multimedia]

[/multimedia]

Doha, Qatar (January 28, 2008) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — Qatar Airways today announced plans to serve the southern Chinese industrial port city of Guangzhou from the start of the summer flying season to further cement its position in one of the world's fastest growing economies.

Beginning March 31, Doha-based Qatar Airways will become the first airline from the Gulf to serve Guangzhou. It will operate four flights-a-week non-stop using an Airbus A330 aircraft in a two-class configuration of up to 24 seats in Business Class and a maximum 248 in Economy.

The addition of Guangzhou strengthens Qatar Airways' China network, where it already flies to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong with a total of 16 flights a week. Guangzhou takes the airline's capacity into China up to 20 flights a week. From May 1, Qatar Airways adds a fifth weekly service to Guangzhou.

Passengers flying Qatar Airways from Europe, Middle East and Africa will have excellent connections to Guangzhou via the airline's operational hub of Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.

The new services will provide a strong sporting link as Doha hosted the biggest ever Asian Games in 2006, while Guangzhou is set to host the next sporting extravaganza in 2010.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said Guangzhou would complement the airline's daily services to Hong Kong, offering business and leisure travellers an exciting opportunity to visit two key Chinese cities in such close proximity to each other.

"China is, and will continue to be, a strategically vital part of Qatar Airways' expansion plans – and no serious airline can afford to ignore a country with a thriving and buoyant economy," he said.

"Since we entered the China market four years ago, we have gradually introduced new routes and increased capacity into this exciting country.

"First with Beijing, followed by Shanghai, then Hong Kong, we are set to further widen our presence in China by adding the southern industrial city of Guangzhou to our rapidly growing international network. It is a historic move for Qatar Airways as we will be the first airline from the Gulf to operate into Guangzhou."

Beginning May 1, Al Baker said Qatar Airways would increase capacity further into Guangzhou with a fifth weekly scheduled flight.

He added: "With China hosting the Olympic Games later this year when Beijing takes centre stage for this two-week sporting extravaganza, Qatar Airways is proud to be part of China's success story. Furthermore, both Guangzhou and Doha have a strong sporting link as we hosted the Asian Games in Qatar just over 12 months ago, and it will be the turn of Guangzhou in 2010 to take charge of this fantastic sporting event."

Qatar Airways' China operation currently includes daily flights to Hong Kong; four weekly services to Beijing; and five services a week to Shanghai.

The airline operates a modern fleet of 60 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 81 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Far East and North America.

The airline is one of an elite group of carriers with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry research company. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways' cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fifth year running in 2007 following a survey of more than 12 million passengers. During the current 2007/08 financial year, Qatar Airways expects to carry more than 10 million passengers worldwide. For more information, log onto www.qatarairways.com

The Doha – Guangzhou schedules, effective 31 March 2008 are:-

Depart Doha International Airport

Monday, Tuesday, Friday QR876 at 0230, arrive Guangzhou at 1535
Thursday QR874 at 0230, arrive Guangzhou at 1535

Depart Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Monday, Tuesday, Friday QR877 at 2030, arrive Doha International Airport at 2359
Friday QR875 at 0055, arrive Doha International Airport at 0425

INTERNET LINKS

http://www.ndiaproject.com

Qatar Airways will operate a fleet of 110 aircraft by 2013 – almost double the existing size. During 2007, Qatar Airways ordered 80 Airbus A350s, together with 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s. The airline is a launch customer of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos' with five aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery from 2010. Qatar Airways moves to the New Doha International Airport in 2009, when the first phase of the new facility opens.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daniel O'Brien
Edelman
Tel: (+86) 10 6530 8590 (211)
Mobile: (+86)134 0104 9360
Email: dan.obrien@edelman.com

[smpr_tags]Qatar Airways, New Flights[/smpr_tags]

RSS Feeds

ChinaNewswire.com — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:01:36 +0000

By using XML/RSS feeds, you can stay in touch with the latest press releases involving a wide range of industries and geographic locations. Below we have hundreds of different RSS feeds organized for you to best take advantage of the best way to monitor the Internet media:

Categories

Corporate Social Responsibility

Education & Human Resources

Energy & Natural Resources