Chinese hotel giant Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotel Group Co., Shanghai, is expanding into the midscale segment with the launch of a new brand called Metropolo.
Executive Vice President of Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel Management Co. Christopher Sheldon told HOTELS the first hotel will open later this year with another 28 in the works for 2014.
The brand will get its jump-start from Jin Jiang’s recent acquisition of 21 Smart Hotels in China for US$115 million from Tianjin Huasheng Tourism Equity Investment Partners and China Wallink Holding.
Over the next three years, Jin Jiang plans to expand the Metropolo portfolio to 100 in key first tier cities and provincial capitals.
“The 5-star and economy market segments are well served already,” Sheldon said. “What we think is missing and our opportunity is the mid-market.”