Asia Pacific is providing hotel chains exponential opportunities for growth, within which China is one of the main focus for the business development efforts of hotel chains. According to HVS research in January 2012, among the top five hotel chains in Asia Pacific by number of rooms, Home Inns tops the list with 147,524 rooms across 174 cities in China; followed by Jin Jiang Hotels Group with 93,520 rooms; Europe-based giants, IHG and Accor, and Nasdaq-listed 7 Days Inn. Three of the five - Home Inns, Jin Jiang and 7 Days Inn - are all China homegrown hotel chains.

Notably, Home Inns and Jin Jiang Inns have adopted the merger and acquisition strategy to expand. Jin Jiang Hotels acquired a stake in Interstate Hotels & Resorts IHR in March 2010, while Home Inns successfully completed its acquisition of Motel 168 International Holdings Limited in September 2011. Is merger and acquisition a sustainable viable expansion strategy for hotel chains? At the China Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC) 2012, Yang Weimin, Chairman, Jin Jiang International Hotels (Group) Company Limited will present a case study review of its successful acquisition of InterState Hotels & Resorts; and David Sun, CEO, Home Inns will also share insights into the Motel 168 transaction. .

Among the five abovementioned hotel chains, the three China-based firms (Home Inns, Jin Jiang Hotels, 7 Days Inn) have focused largely on the economy and mid-tier segments, which gives an indication of the potential and size of this segment. The hotel chains are also taking it one step further to create organic growth by diversifying their brand portfolio. Senior decision-makers will share topics discussed in the boardroom on brand strategy and profile. CHIC 2012 welcomes Xu Shuguang, Chairman & CEO, GreenTree Inn Chain; Chen Han, CEO, Super 8 Hotel (China) Co Ltd; Christopher Zhang, Vice President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; and other leaders from the sector to share their insights.

Within the exponentially growing market, hotel chains are pursuing the essence of a new breed of hospitality brand required for China. Join James Stuart, Founder, The Brand Company, at CHIC 2012 as he shares on topics such as: What are the critical success factors for such brands? Which are the most successful Navigator hospitality brands in China today? Where will we see such brands emerging in the future? What are the likely advantages of being global versus local, new versus established in becoming a Navigator hospitality brand in China and for Chinese travellers elsewhere?

Organised by HVS, co-hosted by China Tourism Academy and Beijing International Studies University, the 8th China Hotel Investment Conference will be held on 18 to 20 April 2012 at Grand Hyatt Shanghai. For registration and more information, please visit www.chinahotelconference.com, or call +86 21 5171 7003.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of a mega hotel in Macau in September 2012 under its Sheraton brand. The 3,863-room Sheraton Macau Hotel will be both the largest hotel in Macau and in Starwood's over 1,000-strong portfolio of hotels and resorts globally when it opens. Located in the centre of the Cotai Strip, the hotel forms part of Macau's newest fully integrated resort complex, Sands Cotai Central, and is just minutes from world-class shopping, dining and entertainment facilities. Set over two towers, Sheraton Macau Hotel, which features 20,000 square metres of meeting space, will be a major hub for the MICE market. Other facilities will include a spa, three swimming pools with 12,000 square metres of deck space, a fitness centre and a toddlers' play area. The hotel's food and beverage concepts will open with the signature Xin Asian seafood restaurant launching in April 2012. Other dining options include Bene Italian restaurant, Feast all-day dining restaurant, a lobby lounge, two poolside cafes and a roof lounge.