SHANGHAI – UK-based Guoman Hotels Group has set its sights on an Asian regional expansion following the unveiling of its first hotel in China. The new Guoman Hotel Shanghai, which recently opened in the cosmopolitan Chinese city, is the group's first Guoman hotel outside of the UK. Established in 2002, Guoman Hotels Group owns and operates 41 hotels in the UK, Malaysia and China across its two brands, the Guoman Hotels deluxe collection and the international four-star Thistle Hotels. The Group is now targeting between 40 and 50 new openings in Asia over the next five years. For its China debut, the 442-room Guoman Hotel Shanghai is infused with hallmark British style and service. Signature touches include a fleet of black London Taxi Cabs to transport guests to and from the airport and appointments, a British-style concierge, and a British themed restaurant and bar "GB" which stands for Great Britain, as well as Gan Bei or "cheers" in Chinese. "These elements will set our hotels apart and introduce a uniquely British character," said Sanjay Nijhawan, COO international, Guoman Hotels Group. "British tradition and style is admired the world over, and nowhere more than here in Asia, and we hope to capitalize on this as we roll out our luxury hotels across Asia." The Guoman Hotel Shanghai will be followed in 2011 by Guoman Hotel Beijing and the group will be constantly looking for opportunities across Asia. "Our vision is to emulate the Guoman culture of refined British hospitality combined with the edgy, modern design-led London lifestyle here in China and throughout Asia,” Nijhawan added. “As a company, we partner with world-renowned chefs, architects, designers and artists to create outstanding hotels with this distinctive British flair and flavour, and we will now be looking to partner with like-minded developers, hotel owners and hospitality talents here in Asia to roll out our distinctive hotel brands across the region."