The Metropark Hotel opens July 22

HONG KONG - The 266-guestroom Metropark Hotel which soft-opened late last year in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, will now host its official grand opening on July 22. Harold Yung, general manager of the Metropark said prior to the soft-opening, his target market was Europe.

September 11th changed all that.

"Our soft-opening markets (last year) prior to September 11, were European. But this all changed and we needed a backup, so we have shifted our efforts to the China market."

For the first quarter of this year, 54 percent of the Metropark market was China. Europe and the Americas made up 16 percent; Japan and Korea seven percent; Southeast Asia eight percent and the local Hong Kong and Macau markets, 12 percent said Yung.

Yet one thing hasn't changed, and that is the drive to attract corporate travellers.

"A lot of corporate travellers from China and Asia have been staying at the Hyatt because they had no alternative. The Grand Hyatt neighbours the HKCEC. But we offer the same in terms of service for half the price," he said.

"But in terms of branding, we are ages behind them. Our partnering with SRS-World Hotels helps though. We've spent a lot of money and effort to join, and we are the only hotel out of the CTII (China Travel International Investment) group to join. We want to market ourselves at a higher level."

Yung expects big numbers during the upcoming International Telecommunication Union (ITU - Telecom Asia) in December 2002, since the Metropark has been selected as a preferred hotel.

Other important shows such as leather and toys will help boost corporate travel numbers. Currently, corporate travelers make up 32 percent of its business, with 68 percent leisure.

The Metropark is managed by China Travel Hotel Management Services Hong Kong Ltd, a subsidiary of China Travel Service (CTS).