• Growth in emerging markets is key to the Spanish multinational's growth strategy
  • Meliá Chongqing, to open in 2015, is the first hotel for the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand in China

Meliá Hotels International, the first Spanish hotel to operate in China, announced further growth in the country with the signature of a management agreement for a new hotel in the city of Chongqing, the result of an intense globalisation process that defines the growth strategy of the company, and in which Asia-Pacific plays a prominent role.

The Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer, said from Asia that the company "will continue to advance in the coming years in positioning its brands in China, to become one of the tourist development leaders in this gigantic market and strengthen its leadership position among the major international hotel chains, in parallel with the consolidation of other world-class destinations such as Spain or the Caribbean".

The new Meliá Chongqing will be the third Meliá hotel in China, adding to the current portfolio of the Gran Meliá Shanghai, open since 2009, and the Gran Meliá Xian, whose opening is scheduled for 2013. In addition, the hotel is the first for the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand in China, after a long history in the Asia-Pacific region and a successful presence for more than two decades in destinations such as Bali or Vietnam.

The hotel, developed by MCC Hong Chen Real Estate, will be the first international 5 star hotel on the mountain of Tie Shan Ping and will be fully integrated with its beautiful natural environment, following the Leed Gold standard, the leading certification for sustainable construction in China. The Meliá Chongqing Hotel will have 280 rooms and three restaurants and will provide the growing business travel segment with the first opportunity to hold events and conventions in a privileged environment, just 20 minutes from the centre of Chongqing, located in central China and with 7 million inhabitants.

About Melia Hotels International

Rooted in Mallorca (Spain), with a global footprint, Meliá Hotels International has evolved over seven decades into one of the world's leading hospitality groups. Today, we are proud to be recognized as Europe's most sustainable hotel company by S&P Global, and as a Top Employer Large Enterprise 2025, reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and responsible tourism.With a portfolio of over 400 hotels across key destinations worldwide, we deliver differentiated guest experiences through our nine distinct brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Affiliated by Meliá. Each brand is designed to meet the evolving expectations of our guests, while staying true to our Mediterranean roots and values.Our strategic focus on sustainability, talent development, and digital transformation continues to position Meliá as a benchmark in the global hospitality industry, driving long-term value for our stakeholders and creating meaningful experiences for millions of travelers around the world. . For more information, please visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com