HNA Tourism becomes the center of attention at 2014 WTTC Global Summit

SANYA, BEIJING, China - The 2014 World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit took place in Sanya on 23-25 April 2014 with more than 900 leaders across the tourism sector from 62 countries and regions in attendance. Diamond sponsor HNA was a key participant. HNA Group chairman Chen Feng gave one of the summit's key speeches. HNA Tourism chairman Zhang Ling was also present at the event. With the high quality services of its member companies on display, HNA Tourism, a firm committed to the building of a new tourism ecosystem, became the event's focus of attention as an international player offering a comprehensive suite of tourism services.

The event chose "Changing world, new perspectives" as the theme. HNA Tourism, through its attendance at the event and its corporate image, sought to demonstrate the innovative growth process of a leader in the Chinese tourism sector as well as the general thinking of the entire sector as it looks towards the future. Considering the rapid changes across China's traditional tourism industry as well as the fast emergence of innovative services, HNA Tourism has taken advantage of its leading-edge resources to integrate the many components of today's tourism sector including aviation, tourism, tourism finance and hospitality, as well as web and mobile applications serving the industry. HNA Tourism aims to become a leading industry player that boosts industry development and builds a new tourism ecosystem.

The traditional model prevalent in China's tourism sector is facing radical changes: the issuance and implementation of new tourism laws; competition among the players, as further upgrading of industry resources plays out; and, increasing appeal of leisure travel among consumers. All of these trends are posing severe challenges to the traditional model. Given these trends, Capital Airlines, an HNA Tourism affiliate, is stoking the new-found appeal of leisure travel by blending it with fashion and culture, as well as by putting together a top-notch team of service professionals and the largest Airbus fleet, all with characteristics unique to the Capital Airlines brand. Travel agencies with longstanding reputations including Caissa Touristic and Hong Thai Travel are winning the trust of the traveling public through the professionalism of their staff, as well as with the roll out of new high quality services worldwide. Tangla Hotels & Resorts International is creating a series of world class hotels across China based on traditional oriental hospitality with a world view, and has become the first luxury hotel in China to receive the Six Star designation. Deer Jet, Asia's largest business aviation company, owns a fleet of 65 planes and has received AGUS Platinum Rating's Five Star certification as well as the IS-BAO certification. The carrier is also the first to be honored with the title of "Asia's Best Business Aviation Brand".

Another characteristic of the Chinese tourism industry is the rapid growth of the online travel agency sector and the many and varied innovative crossover products. With the aim of participating in this trend, HNA Tourism increased its commitment to the sector with an investment exceeding one billion Chinese yuan (approx. US$160 million), which will be used to develop innovative products based on the most popular destinations for travelers, as well as their online travel spending, payment and reservation habits. The move is expected to attract the industry's attention and be widely welcomed by the traveling public. In terms of innovative crossover initiatives, HNA Tourism has developed its Henna cruise ship into China's only "exclusive maritime mobile base" since its maiden voyage in January 2013. Another member company of HNA Group, HNA Sports focuses on bringing new concepts to market and developing new products integrating tourism with sports, rolling out featured products and services including attendance at sporting events.

Notably, on the conference's free day (April 26), WTTC guests will spend the night at Tangla Hotel Sanya, a subsidiary of HNA Hotels & Resorts Group. Tangle Hotel Sanya, Tangla Hotels & Resorts International's first resort hotel, is the silver sponsor of this WTTC.

HNA Hospitality Group currently owns approx. 70 hotels in China, with another 10 currently under construction. The Tangla brand has expanded from Beijing to first-tier cities and tourist destinations including Tianjin, Sanya and Guangzhou, with 10 Tangla brand hotels having opened in 2013 alone. HNA Hospitality Group plans to continue the focus on brand management and further growth of the Tangla brand with the planned addition of 20 Tangla hotels in 2014, bringing the total number to 40.

Established in 2007, HNA Tourism is a new tourism entity encompassing multiple businesses. Its member brands include Capital Airlines, Deer Jet, Caissa Touristic, Hong Thai Travel Service, Tangla Hotel and Henna. HNA Tourism ranked sixth in the Top 20 Chinese Tourism Groups list issued by China Tourism Academy. HNA Tourism is taking a more open approach to addressing the rapid development and changes across the global tourism industry, and its mission is to lead a new life of travel, build a new tourism ecosystem and promote the ongoing transformation of China's tourism sector, in a move to create a new tourism economy across the industry chain. Looking ahead, the company will continue its effort to build a complete tourism service chain, providing more convenient, personalized and superior services for every traveler.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews