Landmark growth, changing markets

There are now 100 Sheraton hotels in Asia-Pacific, and in three years, the brand intends to have 500 properties worldwide. China is definitely part of the growth strategy, as Xu Lin finds out in Shantou, Guangdong.

The opening of the Sheraton Shantou Hotel in Guangdong province on Nov 4 not only marked the 100th Sheraton hotel in Asia-Pacific, but also one of nearly 30 new hotels in the region this year. "The Sheraton brand's remarkable growth in fast-growing economies including China, India and Thailand, has lengthened Starwood's lead as the largest operator of high-end hotels in Asia-Pacific," says Hoyt Harper, global brand leader, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. Sheraton is one of the business brands under Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.

Harper says by 2016, there will be 500 Sheraton hotels in the world, with expansions to more than 20 new countries such as those in Eastern Europe and South America.