Two biggest and most famous hoteliers – Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide – have almost simultaneously announced the launch of new programs targeted on Chinese tourists who travel abroad.
Hilton Huanying program is the result of a three month work together with Chinese hotels of the company as well as local travel agencies. The program involves offering special amenities and services provided by special teams that have undergone training and are familiar with Chinese traditions. The program will be launched this August in San Francisco and will be spread over 36 Hilton hotels across the world. Initially the Huaying program will be available in Hilton-branded hotels only, but then added to all properties operated by the company.
Chinese travellers will find their usual comfort in Hilton hotels, starting from front desk personnel talking Chinese, to a welcome letter in Chinese, Chinese teas and tea kettles in rooms, Chinese TV and traditional Chinese food.
Starwood has already launched its Starwood Personalized Travel program in its hotel in Shanghai. The program will soon be available in 19 key properties of the company around the world. By the end of 2012 is will become a standard in all Starwood hotels. In the plans of the company is the development of similar programs for tourists from India and Brazil.
Starwood’s program for Chinese guests is close to the program by Hilton and includes translated materials, tea and tea kettles in rooms, slippers, Chinese menus with a variety of special dishes, and so on. Each visitor will also get a packet that contains information about main sights, shopping areas and other information about the point of destination.