Roundup

VIETNAM'S FOREIGN TOURISM

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has given the nod to a proposal by ministries on reopening international tourism starting from March 15 in the context of safe and flexible adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam News Agency cited a notice by the local government on Wednesday. Dam requested competent authorities to urgently announce a detailed reopening plan for localities nationwide, as well as to propose a visa issuance policy for international arrivals.

CATERING FIRMS GROW

China's catering industry maintained growth momentum in 2021 despite the pressure from COVID-19, with the number of registered businesses up 25.5 percent year-on-year, according to an industry report. A total of 2.36 million businesses were added to the industry, said the report released by the internet giant Meituan. The country has seen more restaurant chains in recent years with the percentage jumping from 12.8 percent in 2018 to 15 percent in 2020, the report noted.

MEETING WITH HELLO KITTY

Funde Holding Group and Hyatt Hotels& Resorts jointly announced they will open a new Hello Kitty-themed hotel in Sanya, Hainan province in South China, with Funde responsible for property development and Hyatt for operation and management. The new hotel is scheduled to open in 2025. After signing an intellectual property agreement with Sanrio (Shanghai)International Trade in 2019, Funde has been licensed to use more than 400 cartoon characters including Hello Kitty.

PULLMAN'S LAUNCH IN SUZHOU

The 45th Pullman-branded hotel in China opened in Taicang, a city under the administration of Suzhou, Jiangsu province in East China, in January. Only a one-hour drive to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station, Pullman Suzhou Taicang is adjacent to Taicang's Huafa business district, with excellent views of Tianjing Lake.

NEW AFTERNOON TEA

In cooperation with Italian shoe brand Giuseppe Zanotti, The Ritz-Carlton Beijing began to offer a themed afternoon tea on Feb 9, incorporating the former's fashion design concepts. The collaboration will bring guests a unique afternoon tea experience combining culinary delights and Italian elegance, said Alfonso Orona, the hotel's general manager.

China Daily - Xinhua