Small business is big business

Large hospitalityenterprises are looking at guests from a newangle - downward. Young children are now the focus, as Liu Weifeng reports.

Hotels are now targetting the youngest decision makers in the family, those with the best access to the purse strings. Such international chains as The Ritz-Carlton, Shangri-La Group and Westin have all added new attractions specifically aimed at juvenile consumers. Ritz-Carlton hotels worldwide are leading the pack by introducing kid-friendly programs with the launch of its Ritz Kids programming in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, a US-based nonprofit organization.

"We're very excited to continue our highly successfully relationship with a unique individual whose entire life has been dedicated to preservation of the environment, with particular attention to marine conservation and education," says Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co.