Hong Kong-based hotel CCO sees opportunity in growing inbound and outbound tourism

The Chinese mainland will remain central to The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd's long-term growth strategy, as rising outbound travel by Chinese consumers and growing international visitor arrivals continue to create new opportunities for its Peninsula hotel brand, a senior executive said.

Julien Munoz, chief commercial officer of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd, a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region-based company that owns and operates 12 Peninsula hotels worldwide, said that the Chinese mainland market is a strategic priority for the group because of its vast market size, growing affluent consumer base, and increasing attractiveness as a destination for international travelers.

The group operates three hotels in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing under the Peninsula hotel brand in China, which Munoz described as gateways for inbound international visitors exploring China and Chinese travelers heading overseas.

"China's expanded visa-free policies, improved payment accessibility, and technology-enabled travel environment are helping accelerate inbound tourism," Munoz said, adding that international guests at the group's Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai properties rose by around 20 percent between 2025 and 2026.

To capitalize on these trends, the Peninsula hotel brand will further strengthen its engagement with Chinese consumers through social media platforms, partnerships, and destination-focused campaigns, while promoting its hotels in cities such as London, Paris, Istanbul, New York, and Tokyo to Chinese travelers.

Highlighting "Peninsula Time" as a signature example of the brand's guest-centric service philosophy, he said guests can check in as early as 6 am and check out as late as 10 pm the following day, extending a single overnight stay to as long as 40 hours at no extra cost compared with the roughly 21-hour stay typically offered by most hotels.

"We are also expanding digital services to remove unnecessary friction from the guest's journey," he said. "After introducing online check-in at selected properties, Peninsula is testing digital room keys that allow guests to unlock their rooms by tapping their smartphones instead of using traditional key cards. The service is expected to be introduced in the Chinese mainland after further testing."

Emphasizing that technology should enhance rather than replace hospitality, Munoz said his company remains centered on human interaction and personalization, even as it continues to explore new digital tools behind the scenes.

Jiang Yiyi, dean of the School of Leisure Sports and Tourism at Beijing Sport University, said China's consumption upgrades and the steady increase in international visitor arrivals are expected to underpin demand for premium tourism and hospitality services over the long term, providing favorable conditions for premium hotel operators.