Ritz-Carlton – a Marriott International Inc luxury hotel brand – is expecting to double the number of hotels in China by 2015, making the country its most important international market, according to its president.
Simon Cooper, CEO of Ritz-Carlton, said the company, which plans to operate eight hotel chains in China at end-2010, up from six existing hotels, is planning to open one in the interior city of Chengdu by 2012.
Mr. Cooper said Ritz-Carlton aims to have 15 Marriott-brand hotels in China by 2015, and is considering Hangzhou and Tianjin as its top two cities for its China expansion.
The firm is also planning to open hotels in Sydney, Taipei and Bangkok, he added.