We're talking about the Chinese hotel and travel industry today and are joined by Hugh Xu, a veteran in the travel and hospitality sectors with over 20 years of experience. Hugh has held critical roles in several Fortune 500 companies. Most recently, he served as the General Manager of Sales & Marketing at Sunmei Hotel Group, overseeing over 500 properties and 28 brands. Before that, he was with the Huazhu Hotel Group, managing sales and marketing for their upscale brands. Hugh's expertise extends to digital marketing and e-commerce, having driven significant initiatives at the NH Hotel Group and Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

1. How do all your experiences shape and contribute to your expertise in hotel marketing?

2. How are the local and international hotel chains currently competing? Who has the advantage?

3. How did the 3-year Covid-19 period impact the China hotel industry? What has changed?

4. What is the #1 outbound travel choice for Chinese nowadays?

5. Is there still fear of COVID-related illness amongst Chinese tourists traveling abroad?

6. Is safety abroad a big issue?

7. How has digital transformation landed in the Chinese hotel industry?

8. How have the OTA platform and social media influencers impacted the hotel promotion?

9. Would it be accurate to say that money earmarked for a hotel on an OTA is actually spent on the OTA's own advertising?

10. What's your favorite hotel, and who does the best marketing?

11. Any suggestions for mid-tier hotel brands surviving to get noticed in China?

12. A/B Test: Guest Experience, Shopping, & Boutique Hotels

Hugh Xu on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughxu/

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Charting China's Hotel & Travel Industry's Post-Pandemic Course