Hotel boss sees Disneyland boost

The opening of Shanghai Disneyland in 2015 is set to boost the local hotel market, a leading industry figure said yesterday.

This is despite occupancy rates at some hotels currently suffering, after large numbers opened in recent years.

Numbers of family bookings from both home and abroad are expected to increase once Disneyland opens, Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer of the Hyatt Hotels Corporation told a press conference in Shanghai.

To meet demand, Hyatt will open more of its Hyatt Place and House hotels in Shanghai, he said.

These are mainly aimed at family guests and will offer lower prices, Hoplamazian added.

Hoplamazian said Shanghai will be the first market in China with all the seven Hyatt brands, indicating the corporation's high expectations.

The government of Pudong New Area plans to build Jinqiao and Chuansha into the International Tourism Zone with investment exceeding 100 billion yuan (US$16.20b), said Pudong Governor Jiang Liang.

The zone will have Shanghai Disneyland in the center, surrounded by other theme parks and tourism facilities. The 24.5-billion-yuan Disneyland Park is already under construction.

Meanwhile, Hoplamazian said the outbreak of H7N9 bird flu has to date not had any impact on the local hotel industry.

Hyatt has made no changes to its menus because the city government and the hotel have been monitoring the food supply chain and procedures to ensure safety, he added.