Originally from Hong Kong, Elsie Chiu is the general manager of the New World Hotel Management Limited. In this role, she is responsible for brand management, market management, and the company's core resources, such as operations, human resources, and finance.

When will you unveil the Penta hotel brand in China and what market will you target with this new brand?
We plan to launch the Penta hotel brand in 2008. Because traveling habits of frequent business and leisure travellers is being changed, the New World Hotel Management Limited will focus on the needs of the travelers. We are very pleased to introduce the Penta Hotel Brand. The concept is to provide one-stop service to maximize operational efficiencies. Geographical location is of the prime importance. Therefore, the Penta Hotel will be strategically situated at the heart of the city. In addition, the Penta Hotel provides great bedding, comprehensive meeting facilities, cutting-edge business facilities and impressive service.

For the Beijing Olympics, how is New World Hotel Management Limited planning to participate?
I believe that everyone is looking forward to the Beijing Olympics as this is a historical moment. Our hotels in China are well-prepared for this special event. For example, we are conducting English language training course and executing energy saving measures.

What kind of role does MICE services play within the different NWHML divisions?
It is very exciting to see the MICE business in the hotels located in China and Asia growing rapidly. Accessibility is very crucial when meeting planners consider the selecting of the venue. The hotels managed by the New World Hotel Management Limited are all located in prime locations. For example, the New World Mayfair Hotel Shanghai, the New World Hotel Wuhan, the Jing Guang New World Hotel Beijing, the Grand New World Xian, the New World Hotel Saigon and the New World Hotel Shenyang have great location.

In order to cope with various types of meetings, hotels' ballroom and multi-function rooms have flexible configurations that cater from board meeting to large scale conventions. Professional MICE team of each hotel offers creative and attentive services to meet the customers' requirements.

In what ways will Chinese domestic travelers impact your business in the next five years? What about foreign travellers coming to China?
The Chinese market is vast. Compared with other developed markets, the Chinese domestic market is still experiencing rapid expansion. The growth of domestic travellers will definitely benefit the hotels of NWHML. Chinese domestic travelers are very sophisticated, and highly brand conscious. Therefore, NWHML will focus on promoting the New World hotel brand in order to capture the growing business from the domestic market.

Our hotels will also be benefited by the increase of foreign travelers as China has a long history of cultural attractiveness which can lure the foreigners to visit China. And the fast infrastructure development in different regions will also complement the growth. In addition, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is expected to attract millions of overseas travelers leading to the rise of the global fascination on China. All in all, the China tourism will also be benefited.