TEDA Travel Group has announced today that its acquisition of a 55% share in Teda Resort Alliance Development Company (TRAC) has been approved by the Commerce and Industry Department of the Tianjin Government. The Acquisition agreement was entered into in August of 2004.

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The newly appointed Director of Food and Beverage, Torsten Pinter, comes to Swissotel Beijing from the Westin Chosun Busan.

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Sofitel Boao has won a Golden Pillow Award and was ranked in second place for the Top 10 Most Popular Resorts in China. The hotel also earned the Best Public Image Award.

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As part of InterContinental Hotels Group's China strategy, InterContinental Hotels Group has unveiled a China leadership team to drive the initiatives that will reinforce the Group's leadership position in China. Reporting to Chief Operating Officer, North Asia, Mr Edmond Ip, the newly formed team comprises five seasoned hospitality professionals with impeccable track records and expertise ranging from business development to investment and operations management.

InterContinental Hotels Group Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Mr Patrick A. Imbardelli said, We have been in China for over 20 years. We are committed to the growth and success of this key market and have continually invested in infrastructural and talent development. Today, we are pleased to announce the China leadership team that will support our growth in this country. Representing the best in the business, the new team with their complementary experience and expertise, as well as a deep understanding of China, will ensure that we capture the exciting opportunities and continue to deliver exceptional business performance. Under their stewardship, we will push ahead with our continued expansion in China, to achieve our target of doubling our portfolio by 2007, a target that is well within our grasp.

InterContinental Hotels Group currently has 48 hotels across its brands, in major gateway and secondary cities in China. InterContinental Hotels Group will double its portfolio and strengthen its leadership in China. The Group's presence in this key market recently received a major boost with the introduction of the Express by Holiday Inn brand, in addition to its InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands. In 2005, the Group has targeted to open more than 10 hotels and they include the InterContinental Financial Street Beijing, Crowne Plaza Longgang Shenzhen and Holiday Inn Jasmine Suzhou.

The members of the China Leadership Team are:

Mr Kieron Ritchard, Vice President, Strategy, China: Mr Ritchard will assess market opportunities and develop the growth strategy for Greater China. He will articulate and execute a strategy that builds upon the Group's strong development focus and contributes to increasing distribution.

Mr Jerry Huang, Vice President, Development, China: Mr Huang leads the development team in driving the Group's expansion in Greater China and extending its brand distribution in key locations.

Mr Michael Liu, Vice President, Joint Ventures and Asset Management, China: As head of the capital deployment team, Mr Liu will identify suitable new potential partners and ensure the optimal use of capital to increase the China portfolio.

Mr Ooi Joon Aun, Vice President, Hotel Openings, China: Mr Ooi will leverage his project management skills to manage and oversee pre-opening hotels, including the provision of systems and tools support to ensure a smooth operational transition, resulting in a successful launch for the hotels.

Mr Bruce McKenzie, Regional Vice President, Operations, China: Mr McKenzie is in charge of the existing portfolio of hotels in China, to achieve operational and service excellence. He will work with the hotels to drive market share, profitability, guest and employee satisfaction and brand consistency.

Added Mr Imbardelli, To continue to grow from strength to strength in China, we will continue to invest in our infrastructure and in our people. The formation of the China Leadership Team is another example of how we have deployed the right resources to where they are needed. I am confident that the Team will quickly prove themselves to be a force to be reckoned with and drive home the fact that InterContinental Hotels Group is the partner of choice.

The week-long Chinese Labor Day holiday begins on May 1, and online travel company Yoee.com is launching a new airline seat reservation service to compete with rivals Ctrip and eLong.

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Amara Chengdu has appointed Michael Lim as Director of Food and Beverage to refine the food and beverage products of the hotel. Prior to joining the Amara hotel, Michael has previously worked with Accor hotels in Malaysia and China.

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Dr. Wolfgang Schussel, the chancellor of Austria was welcomed by Mr. Rene Schmitt, managing director of Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Centre on April 20 during Schussel's visit to Beijing.

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Shangri-La's China World Hotel, Beijing has appointed Manfred Oehler as the hotel's new Executive Pastry Chef.

Mr. Oehler brings nearly twenty-six years of experience in five-star pastry kitchens all over the world, with a career spanning Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Starting out as a Commis Patissier in his native Germany, Mr. Oehler worked his way up to the position of Pastry Chef, a post he held at various five-star hotels in diverse locales, such as Switzerland, South Africa, the United Arab Emirate and Malaysia.

Mr. Oehler then acquired the post of Executive Pastry Chef at one of Singapore's leading five-star hotels. Whilst in Singapore, Mr. Oehler was awarded with a gold medal during a showpiece competition by the prestigious Food and Hotel Salon Culinaire. He has further deepened his impressive pastry kitchen management credentials with stints as Executive Pastry Chef in key five-star properties in South Korea, Japan and Singapore.

In his new capacity at China World Hotel, Mr. Oehler will be responsible for pastry quality standards and overall operations in the hotel's pastry kitchen.

Marriott International has signed a management agreement with Haicheng Investment Development Company to manage a 311-room Marriott hotel in Ningbo, China.

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British Airways will launch new services from London Heathrow to Shanghai in China on June 1, 2005. British Airways' Shanghai plans have been boosted by the news that the British and Chinese governments have agreed to changes in travel visa rules which will make it easier for Chinese citizens to visit Britain.

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