DAVID Katemopoulos, general manager of Le Meridien Xiamen

How large is your current portfolio in Xiamen and whatÕs your plan for future expansion in the local market?

The Starwood Hotels & Resorts group currently has three brands in Xiamen, and we are the only Le Meridien in the city. Nestled on the top of Xianyue Hill, our hotel has 342 rooms (including suites) with a soothing view of the hillside or courtyard. Despite the serenity, itÕs only 10 minutesÕ drive from the city center and 15 minutes from the airport. Another Le Meridien is under construction in Changtai County outside the island of Xiamen, which is about 30 minutesÕ drive. The infrastructure is ready and the hotel will open in two years.

Describe the MICE market for upscale and luxury hotels in Xiamen. What are the challenges for you to maintain long-term, solid growth? WhatÕs your strength competing with other internationally branded hotels in Xiamen?

The MICE market in Xiamen has been rising rapidly in recent years, as a growing number of exhibitions and conventions, both regional and international, are held here every year. While the regional exhibitions and conventions still take a dominant share, the local MICE market is seeing the arrival of international events, especially the launching of luxury brands, such as jewelry and vehicles. Hotels can definitely benefit from it. As manufacturing companies gradually move out of the city, Xiamen is shifting from a base of manufacturing to one of service industries. The market attracts many international players, making the competition fiercer. Le Meridien has the DNA of a historical European brand with a great focus on food and culture. For the hardware, we have a spacious, pillarless ballroom with a 10-meter ceiling, the highest in Xiamen, and meeting rooms equipped with high-tech facilities and wifi connections. For the software, we have a professional team for MICE events to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Any campaigns you launched this year?

Le Meridien recently launched some campaigns. One of them is a golf package that includes a two-day course for golf lovers. Customers can try their hands on the third day on the course. Another is a romantic package for a two-day-and-one-night stay in a villa suite with either a secluded balcony or a small garden. The package also includes a round-trip airport pickup, breakfast and Champagne on arrival. A weekend family getaway includes a visit to Gulang Island, one-hour free bike rental, spa voucher of 200 yuan (US$32) and buffet dinner at a discounted price.

How much does the MICE business account for of your yearly revenue? Do you consider it a big drive for your profit?

The MICE business accounts for 36 percent to 40 percent of our yearly revenue. Although our customers are basically group and individual customers, the MICE business has raised up significantly in recent years.

What do you think will be the future source of growth for the MICE industry in Xiamen and how do you anticipate it will impact your own business?

Compared with other meeting venues such as Shanghai, Beijing and Qingdao, Xiamen is a more four-season destination. When north is cold in winter, we are warm. Besides, the city has great accessibility not only regionally but long-haul. Geographically it is close to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Shanghai. It now takes 1.5 hours to fly from Shanghai to Xiamen and two hours from Beijing. It takes 45 minutes to get to Jinmen Island (Taiwan) from Xiamen by ferry.

At present, the majority of meeting and conventions are China-based. But it is shifting to an international level as more and more long-haul corporations from Asia and Europe start to present themselves. European airlines operate flights between Xiamen and Europe, and thereÕs a direct flight between Xiamen and Vancouver. So the local MICE industry surely has a promising future. Besides, the city has a variety of attractions, great food including local and Western cuisine, and tasty seafood, and well-planned infrastructure of public transportation.

Le Meridien has a Starwood sales network, and high brand recognition around the world, especially in Europe. So the development status really benefits us. We are confident about the future growth.

Liu Jinqiao, executive assistant manager of Seaview Resort, Xiamen

How large is your current portfolio in Xiamen and whatÕs your plan for future expansion in the market?

Seaview Resort Hotel is an iconic hotel in Xiamen, playing the leading role in luxury and MICE market. Seaview Resort Xiamen is situated beside scenic seashores, lying at the foot of the mountains and facing the ocean. Elegantly equipped with high-class luxurious facilities, it is regarded as Òthe best place for leisure, relaxation, MICE or business trips.Ó

Covering an area of 1 million square meters, the grounds are a leading example of stylish private landscape architecture. The hotel owns luxurious bedrooms, an exquisite variety of restaurants, a professional events management team and offers a full range of recreation and leisure facilities. Seaview Resort is especially suitable for holding outdoor event and meeting projects, such as poolside news conferences, terrace parties, lawn weddings, car test drives, or others.

Many foreigners are coming to Seaview Resort and we are planning to promote the overseas market further. In the hotelÕs third phase, independent villas are in process mainly to satisfy the needs of high-end guests. The hotel will be carried forward to the high-end market, even to the international market.

Describe the MICE market for upscale and luxury hotel in Xiamen. What are the challenges for you to maintain long-term, solid growth? WhatÕs your strength competing with other internationally branded hotels in Xiamen?

At present, with more and more market participants entering the market, the high-class market supply in Xiamen is growing rapidly, but Xiamen has its own unique charm. Xiamen is a very modern city with a rich cultural heritage, and also has a wonderful environment. It holds various international conferences and exhibitions every year. Moreover, the Xiamen, MICE market is gradually growing up, heading towards the goal of an International Conference and Exhibition City. This best scenic zone for Seaview Resort Xiamen is a very great space and platform. The government implemented various restrictive policies for public consumption this year, causing it to reduce high-end consumption. However, foreign companies and private consumption has generally increased.

Compared with the other international brand hotels in Xiamen, Seaview Resort has incomparable advantages: first, its location by the sea and mountains. Second, the hotel covers an area of 1 million square meters, which can provide the vast space for the guests. Then, the hotel has the world first-class landscape where guest can breathe fresh clean air, appreciate elegant flowers, lush plants and rockeries and feel close to nature.

Any campaigns your hotel launched this year?

Large-scale events and conferences continuously hold and are strongly approved by the activities of the organizer. Recently the hotel  hosted the following activities: The launch of the PANAMERA car, BMW 5 series media launch, Faw Audi Twin Cup Competition, Lexus Dealers annual meeting, Emerson’s Asia-Pacific presidential meeting, Sanofi pharmaceutical meeting, Lilly Biotechnology annual meeting, Bayer annual meeting,  APEC Prosecutor general meeting and so on.

Our hotel also launched some privileges: Guests can have a series of benefits when meeting groups stay above 100 room nights in Seaview Resort before June 30, 2014. For instance, room-upgrades, venue privileges, banquet dining preferences. In addition, we will also provide full-day and half-day packages. It is a good choice for many corporate teams.

How much does the MICE business account of your yearly revenue? Do you consider it a big drive for your profit?

At our hotel this year, MICE revenue contributes about 30 percent of hotel’s total revenue. With the fast development of MICE market, this has also produced a huge demand for conference venue and conference services, directly stimulating the increase in revenue on rooms, catering and conference, bring considerable economic result to the hotel. Therefore, MICE business does have a great driving force for our hotel.

What do you think will be the future sources of growth for the MICE industry in Xiamen and how do you anticipate it will impact your own business?

Since around 30 years of the reform and openness, Xiamen constantly absorbs the international advanced experience, held numerous events and trade fairs. Xiamen is presently the country’s leading exhibition tourism city and has become one of our Southeast Coastal Tourism Center cities.

With the developing state of affairs for MICE market, it is lucky for us. In our previous events, good results are achieved in the medical, financial, automotive and other fields. It is the best destination choice of events. Especially in the medical and automotive industries, it has occupied a position of prominence. Our Seaview Resort is able to provide a wide space, carrying out various activities, conferences and other creative exhibitions due to these enormous advantages.