Tan Yifan

    cicitan2011@gmail.com

    THE first session of Shenzhen’s International Brand Hotel GM Committee, which was overseen by the city’s culture, sports and tourism administration, kicked off Friday at the Civic Center.

    The committee, initiated and supervised by Shenzhen Hotel Business Association, selected and named Paul Hugentobler the director of the session.

    Hugentobler, a Swiss man who has lived in Shenzhen for eight years and general manager of the InterContinental Shenzhen and, said the committee would enhance the communication between local hoteliers and the government.

    “When I first heard of the (plan to set up the) committee, I thought it was a great idea. It will assist hotels to realize local industrial policies and create more communication between Shenzhen and overseas hotels,” he said, adding that the committee would share their experience and provide more opportunities for developing more professional hoteliers.

    With over 20 hotels joining the committee, it aims to gather resources from various hoteliers to face challenges from the market.

    According to Zhang Daoxin, director of the supervision and department of the administration, Shenzhen’s hospitality industry will embrace further prosperity with brands such as Mandarin Oriental and Bvlgari coming to the city.