Roundup

Milestone

Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced the number of its Four Points hotels worldwide has surpassed the milestone of 200, fueled by unprecedented demand in dynamic destinations. Boasting the largest pipeline in the Star-wood portfolio, Four Points plans to open 12 more hotels around the world by the end of this year.

Going green

Intercontinental Hotels Group signed a contract with Shanghai International Automobile City in September to rent electric vehicles from EVCARD, an e-vehicle rental service provider. The vehicles will be used at the group's 11 Crowne Plaza hotels in Shanghai. Thirty Intercontinental hotels plan to set up electric car parking and charging facilities for e-vehicles.

New openings

Hilton Worldwide and Hilton Hotels & Resorts announced on Friday the opening of Hilton Shenzhen Futian. The hotel marks the second Hilton Hotels & Resorts property and the third Hilton Worldwide hotel in Shenzhen. The 23-story hotel features 320 contemporary guestrooms and suites.

AccorHotels announced the opening of Pullman Kaifeng Jianye in the city of Kaifeng, Henan province, on Thursday. The 186-room property is the first international upscale resort hotel in the community.

Award

Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East has been awarded a "2015 Certificate of Excellence" by TripAdvisor. The travel website honored the hotel with the award based on ratings and reviews given by guests who have stayed at the hotel.

Event

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau hosted a "Thailand CONNECT The World: China MICE Commemorative Dinner 2015" at the Hyatt on the Bund Hotel, Shanghai, in September. The event is part of Thailand's MICE United II, a campaign to promote the country's MICE industry, which stands for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.

(China Daily 10/10/2015 page10)