What changes do you think about China's high-end hotel market in 2017? How did your hotel respond to these changes?
In 2017 we have seen a strong domestic traveller demand VS previous years. We have pleasantly noticed the presence of less price sensitive travelers but yet demanding higher service standards and better products. Beijing is lucky enough to benefit from some major business segments, Leisure, Corporate, as well as good Government and Conventions altogether. This is obviously impacting positively the entire city. Our hotel, located right at the heart of Beijing, have subsequently seen a very positive trend in 2017.
More and more high-end hotels are entering the Chinese market, leading more and more fierce competition. What measures will you take to deal with the fierce competition environment?
The way to deal with the fierce competition is well placed in our HILTON Vision and Mission, which was created by our founder, Conrad Hilton, 97 years ago, “By delivering exceptional experience every hotel to every guest at every time”this is in fact still very valid and remain our main driving principle today. We also spend considerable time and resources in acquiring great talents and good workforce, this is the reason why, once Again in 2017 we were awarded “Top 9 World Best Place in 2017” by Great Place to Work. We are particularly proud of this achievement, this reflects in full the company culture and passion we have for this industry. Great Hospitality and customer recognition, while continuing evolving and creating new guest experiences, will still be the main focus, all guided by our almost 100 year old company Culture directly following our Vision and Mission.
What noteworthy cases of service innovation, management innovation, scientific and technological innovation within hotel industry in the past year?
Hilton, have a very long tradition in innovation since the very beginning of our history. Our award-winning Hilton Honors App is now downloaded one every eight seconds. The next stage of this App is to launch it in Chinese language within this year. Hilton is also very famous for having launched in 2017 the Room Selection Function. The App allows you not only to benefit from one of the most exciting loyalty program in the entire industry; you are also able to choose the room as your preferences when you make a booking. Last but not least, Hilton is currently focusing on launching the digital key system; each guest will have their digital room key on the phone. This system is currently rolled out into 2500 hotels in the world, and will come to China in 2018.
What do you think about the hot issue on the contradiction and cooperation between hotel and OTA in 2017?
That is a very interesting question. Definitely, OTA’s are a very important part of our business and will remain extremely important in the next future. We are very happy to partner with all the most known companies that manage customer booking channels. In China, OTA’s are even more prominent than any other country. What will we do in the next future with OTA’s is trying to diversify the utilization and to understand better customer booking pattern and preferences. Currently, we have also integrated all OTA’s companies’ customer feedback reports directly in our internal system. This was never the case before, so we are now not only collecting internally our company customer feedback, but also directly from clients who book through OTA. In a short, OTAs are great partners, and absolutely important component of our business, they will remain as such moving forward.
What’s the most memorable event or accomplishment of your hotel in 2017?
What comes straight up to my mind as one of most memorable event is having be able to be part of the One Belt One Road event in October 2017. Hilton Beijing Wangfujing was one of the key designated hotels with large government delegations from different countries. In the Wangfujing area, we are the center hotel for many meetings as well as government and union activities. That was giving our whole team a lot of stress, but I am pleased to say the success was tremendous and we received a lot of compliments from delegates as much as from the collaborators from government.
What will be the focus of your hotel in 2018? Do you have any particular plans or ideas?
We will also continue focusing on people growth and success. In 2017, worldwide Hilton has created more than 25,000 jobs. We offer team members industry-leading benefits. We will continue creating apprenticeship opportunity for young graduates from school and university to create learning ground as much as we can and finally improve services in the industry in this country.
Could you sum up in one sentence to introduce what’s the most worthy to be experienced in your hotel to our readers?
Without any doubt, in one sentence I would invite everyone to experience our Chinese restaurant called “Chynna” which has been already very popular in the recent years. Our chef Delong is an award-wining chef that cooperated with many industry experts to continually develop new products and new menus. Chef Delong is Currently focusing on Beijing and North China cuisine. You definitely should not miss our signature Healthy Beijing Roast Duck, one of the most delicious Beijing Duck in the whole of Beijing.
What’s your travel plan in 2018? What’s your personal standard to choose a hotel?
What makes me choose a hotel versus another: it is convenience, consistency, and quality of service, as what I expected from my hotel to be delivered, Consistent high level service delivered in a personalized way.