Paul Kirwin of Carlson Hotels explains why Hong Kong is a top priority for building the Regent brand
Hong Kong's first Four Seasons-branded hotel, comprising 1,000 rooms over two towers and due to open in 2005, is a striking addition to the cityscape

The Regent is aiming for a five-star hotel with up to 350 rooms, opening in 2006. In other moves to meet a growing demand, the Hilton hotel says it is "exploring all opportunities to return to the Hong Kong market", while the South China Morning Post reports that the Ritz-Carlton is planning a second hotel, with 400 rooms, to open in 2008.

Luxury hotel groups have been quick to capitalise on Hong Kong's increasing high-end tourism sector, highlighted by business and leisure travellers from North America and Europe. Four Seasons is entering Hong Kong with a six-star hotel due to open in mid-2005, and in the third quarter Mandarin Oriental is opening a 114-room boutique hotel in prestigious Central precinct The Landmark. This year, Langham unveiled the Langham Place Hotel, Mongkok, the first five-star hotel to open in Kowloon in a decade, while in Causeway Bay the 20-storey, four-star Cosmopolitan hotel opened for business.

Strategic hub

Paul Kirwin, president and managing director of Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, the owner of the Regent brand, said Hong Kong was "one of its most important homes". Regent International Hotels began in Hong Kong more than 30 years ago and maintained its presence until 2001, when the hotel was taken over by the InterContinental hotel group.

Rebuilding the Regent brand is now a "top priority" in Hong Kong, where visitor arrivals reached record figures in 2004 and demand for hotel beds has been the highest in years.
 
The average hotel occupancy rate was 84 per cent in September, the highest September figure since 1996.   Occupancy is now standing at 86 per cent for the first nine months of 2004, compared to 63 per cent in 2003 and 82 per cent in 2002.
 
July was perhaps the most impressive month so far this year, with 92 per cent occupancy.  Traditionally July has not been a peak month, and this was the highest July figure since 1988, when there was a severe shortage of rooms.

Mr Kirwin said Hong Kong continues to be an important gateway to Asia and China, as well as an entertainment and financial services hub within North Asia.

Brand-building platform

"As the flagship of the chain, the original Regent Hong Kong helped create the tremendous brand equity and legacy that the Regent name enjoys.  As we revive the growth of the brand throughout the world, we are determined to bring the brand back to one of its most important homes."

The rebound of Hong Kong's economy and in particular the booming tourism industry made now the right time to act, Mr Kirwin continued. "With the tremendous increase in travel from the mainland, Hong Kong is well on its way to restoring its image as one of the most dynamic entertainment and financial services centres in Asia."

Hong Kong is also an ideal platform for further building the Regent brand in the Chinese mainland, where it will open three hotels in the next two years. 

"Regent International Hotels began in Hong Kong and has since set the standard of service for the Asian hospitality industry," Mr Kirwin said. "Today, the new generation of Regent hotels is expanding quickly, with China leading the growth."

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