Frasers Hospitality, a member of Frasers Property Group, has announced the grand opening of Fraser Suites Dalian, arriving hot on the heels of four properties that opened in Changsha, Tianjin and Shenzhen last year. The global hospitality operator is seeing strong uptake for its portfolio of brands, as it expects to grow its inventory by around 85 percent over the next few years, expanding to 30 properties across China.
ÒWe see demand being driven not only by the inbound market but also by domestic travellers in the country. From FY2016 to FY2017, we observed a growth in the number of room nights booked by Chinese travellers, who account for almost half of all our guests in China. Given the fact that 75 percent of China’s business travel spend is domestic[1], we will continue to grow our footprint in first- and second-tier cities,Ó said Mr Choe Peng Sum, Chief Executive Officer, Frasers Hospitality.
ÒThe needs of tech-savvy Chinese millennial travellers are also contributing to the growth of our brands such as Capri by Fraser, which has been designed for the e-generation,Ó Mr Choe added.
A recent study commissioned by Frasers Hospitality found that innovation in products and experiences were important to 93 percent of Chinese millennial travellers, with more than half seeking out smart hotel services.
ÒWhile our entry into emerging cities such as Dalian and Tianjin are aimed at strengthening our network of properties across China, we are also building on our presence in cities where we already have properties to meet the diverse needs of travellers. For example, our two new openings in Shenzhen, Capri by Fraser, Shenzhen / China and Fraser Suites Shenzhen, each capture a different segment of the travel market,Ó said Mr Choe.
Located in Yantian district with spectacular sea views, the design-led Capri by Fraser, Shenzhen / China caters to shorter stays, while Fraser Suites Shenzhen features larger living spaces in the heart of Shenzhen’s CBD in Futian. Also recently opened was Fraser Place Binhai Tianjin, whose address in the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) complements sister property Fraser Place Tianjin that sits close to the historic Nankai district.
As China’s leading serviced apartment brand[2], Frasers Hospitality currently has presence in 11 cities: Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan and Wuxi. It has 14 properties in the pipeline[3], which will see it enlarging its footprint in cities such as Chengdu, Nanjing, Shanghai and Wuhan, as well as opening in new cities such as Nanchang and Haikou.
ÒChina is an integral part of Frasers Hospitality’s growth strategy, representing about a quarter of our portfolio. As Chinese travellers become familiar with our product through their domestic travels, they are also choosing us for their outbound trips. Globally, we have seen a 10 percent growth in the number of room nights booked by Chinese travellers from FY2016 to FY2017,Ó said Mr Choe.
Nestled in the financial centre and an industrial boomtown of Northeast China, Frasers Hospitality’s latest opening in Dalian will harness the port city’s economic opportunities as well as its growing tourism industry. Dalian’s key industries include shipbuilding, machinery manufacturing, petroleum refining, biological engineering and digitalised technology[4]. Dalian also welcomed over a million overseas tourists in 2017, with this figure growing steadily at an average of 3.8 percent annually[5].
Rising above the new Donggang business district, the 259-unit Fraser Suites Dalian is in a prime position to cater to the burgeoning hospitality needs of both business and leisure travellers. Despite only commencing operations for over a month, it has already seen a positive take-up rate by guests, including those on long leases of one to two years. It was also the official hotel for the 31st Dalian International Marathon this month.
Offering picturesque harbour views and direct access to the city’s new subway line, the fully furnished serviced apartments range from studios to three-bedroom configurations. An executive floor with dedicated services for business travellers, a library lounge and meeting rooms make for conducive workspaces, while leisure options are also plenty with facilities such as an indoor heated pool, 24-hour gym, billiards room, children’s play area and restaurant.
ÒOur expansion strategy is always centred around the traveller. Within each Chinese city that Frasers Hospitality operates in, we want every type of traveller to be able to choose a comfortable stay that is best suited to their interests and needs. In addition to the convenience of staying at prime locations, many of our properties in China are part of mixed-use developments, which will offer residents access to a wealth of amenities at their doorstep, making it easy for them to fulfil a range of needs,Ó said Mr Choe.
Acquired in 2015 for RMB481.37 million (S$100.29 million), Fraser Suites Dalian is part of the mixed-use Europark Tower development, which comprises a 100,000 sqm lifestyle shopping mall, designer offices and luxury residential apartments, while also being within walking distance of the Dalian International Conference Centre, the stunning architectural landmark that hosts the World Economic Forum’s Summer Davos meeting.
