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Daniel Ren

Global hotel chain operator Hilton has introduced a new brand to China, a move an executive says reflects the company’s belief tourism will remain a strong growth engine in the world’s second-largest economy.
The US hospitality group announced on Tuesday that its Tempo by Hilton lifestyle brand would make its Asia-Pacific debut in mainland China after signing several deals.
It added that the brand would offer Chinese hotel owners an opportunity to capture growing demand for lifestyle-oriented hospitality via a scalable model.
“The introduction of Tempo reflects our confidence in the long‑term fundamentals of this market and the vast opportunity to meet increasing demand for experience-led lifestyle stays from this next generation of travellers,” said Alan Watts, president of Hilton Asia-Pacific, at a launch ceremony in Shanghai.
“As the brand expands in China, we will enable owners to unlock value through clear positioning, strong operational efficiency, superior commercial advantage and a growing network effect.”
Hilton, which operates 12 brands in China, including Conrad and Waldorf Astoria, had 1,080 outlets under management on the mainland as of June 30, more than seven times the around 150 it operated at the end of 2018.
The central and regional governments [in China] have come to realise the important role of the travel business
Li Wenjie, Shanghai Yaheng International Travel
It is now the largest international hospitality group operating in China in terms of portfolio size. The company said that it expected to keep its growth momentum over the next few years.
The coming Tempo properties in China, to be located in cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Xiamen and Jiaxing, would join the nearly 90 hotels currently operating or in the pipeline under the brand globally, Hilton said.
Launched in 2020, Tempo made its global premiere in New York’s Times Square in 2023. The company advertises the brand as wellness-focused, with amenities such as “modern on-site gyms”, “plant-forward menus” at restaurants and “open and airy common spaces” listed on Tempo’s official website.
Meanwhile, the further relaxation of entry requirements by Beijing – allowing visa-free travel by passport holders from dozens of additional countries – would continue to exert a positive effect on inbound tourism businesses, according to Li Wenjie, CEO of Shanghai Yaheng International Travel.
“The central and regional governments [in China] have come to realise the important role of the travel business through their efforts to encourage more cultural events and build new tourist destinations to bolster retail sales,” he said, adding that the country’s hotel market would continue to grow at a moderate pace in the coming year, offering opportunities for both owners and management firms.
According to a five-year plan from China’s State Council released early this month, the country is expected to attract 190 million international visitors by 2030, up 23 per cent from last year’s 154 million and generating an estimated US$150 billion in spending.


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US hotel operator says new lifestyle brand reflects its belief that the country’s tourism sector will continue to grow


US hotel operator says new lifestyle brand reflects its belief that the country’s tourism sector will continue to grow.


Hilton launches Tempo hotel brand amid expanding China travel demand

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}US hotel operator says new lifestyle brand reflects its belief that the country’s tourism sector will continue to grow

US hotel operator says new lifestyle brand reflects its belief that the country’s tourism sector will continue to grow