Face-to-Face: Peter Alatsas, General Manager, The Westin Bund Center Shanghai
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
1) With so many new hotels rising in Shanghai in recent years, what measures is Westin taking to keep ahead of the intense competition?
Our focus has always been on the product through effective application and communication of the Westin Brand values which are; tangible and intangible customer experiences based on renewing, personal and instinctive attention.
2) What preparations are you making for the World Expo 2010?
Other than participating in our own Starwood marketing networks, global and select local reservations distribution channels related to this event, we are mainly focused on executing on the business fundamentals and marketing as usual.
3) How important is the MICE market to you?
The MICE market is important because Shanghai is still predominantly a corporate destination. In our case, we have a hotel that is ideally suited, by its historic location, uplifting facilities and beautiful design to attract this market. We have been successful as witnessed by the number of MICE events staged and the many awards we have received since we were one of the first hotels in Shanghai to focus and to promote this segment.
4) Is there a danger the Shanghai’s hotel market is, or will in the future be, suffering from over-supply?
Over supply is threat and must be dealt with effectively. At the moment it is a “buyers market” and the industry expects the supply-demand gap to narrow considerably as of 2010. The city at present looks like a big construction site in many parts as it gears up for Expo 2010 This also places further strain on infrastructure creating accessibility problems. However EXPO alone will not help. The city needs to develop attractions and to promote more aggressively on a global, not only regional scale in the future to become a world class destination.
5) Briefly, please tell our readers why they should stay at the Westin Bund Center Shanghai?
A stay at the Westin Bund center means you are in the heart of the historic Bund center; shopping, sightseeing, entertainment and culture. The hotel itself is user friendly; this means you can be by yourself but never alone, because our people are trained be responsive, attentive and caring-to never say no to any reasonable request and to make every effort to please from the heart.
Comments are closed.