China Daily: “CEO of one of world’s biggest five-star chains says future is written in Chinese.
When Frits van Paasschen first visited China as a backpacker, staying in basic accommodation and traveling on crowded buses and trains, little did he imagine that two decades later, he would be returning as the boss of a five-star hotel chain. The senior executive retains vivid memories of those days, traveling the length and breadth of the country and leaving via the Karakoram Highway from China to Pakistan, clinging precariously to the roof of a pick-up truck.
Nowadays, van Paasschen flies business class on regular visits to China from his New York head office – and stays in the luxury properties of the St Regis, Westin, Sheraton and Le Mridien hotels that make up the Starwood portfolio.Van Paasschen is president and CEO of Starwood, one of the largest hotel management groups in the world which is adding to its China portfolio at a phenomenal rate: this year alone will see 23 new properties open – roughly one every fortnight – bringing the total to 100.
The country is considered to be so important that last year the boss flew the entire senior management team to China for a months visit; executive meetings were held wherever they happened to be on their grand China tour. “If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a visit is worth ten thousand,” says van Paasschen. …
“Literally one of the high points was being on the top floor of what will be the St Regis in Shenzhen on the 100th floor of that building, looking out and toward Hong Kong and seeing that the Shenzhen side looks snazzier and more well developed than the New Territories of Hong Kong.
“When I am asked about the future I say I can’t read it, it is written in Chinese! …
via Hitching his Starwood to China|Last Word|chinadaily.com.cn.
CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon 