Boom times: Yalong Bay’s luxury resorts cash in on idyllic location
While the bulk of the guests are from mainland China, it is Russia, South Korea and Malaysia who provide most international visitors in luxury Yalong Bay resorts
Business is booming for Yalong Bay’s luxury resorts. With a beachfront longer than 7km tucked up against rainforests and rolling mountains, the idyllic location has seen a surge in annual visitor numbers while “hotel occupancy continues to grow despite a number of new hotels”, says Stephan Stoss, Hilton area general manager of Hainan South Hotels.
Stoss says hoteliers and guests both benefit. “Prices are stable or dropping, but the volume is offsetting the drop in rates to help hotels remain profitable,” he says.
While the majority of guests come from mainland China, Andy Chang, general manager of Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort, says the year-on-year growth in international visitors, most of whom are from Russia, South Korea and Malaysia, is “34 per cent”.
Hoss Vetry, multiproperty vice-president and general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay, sees room for further growth as Sanya “is still an undiscovered gem overseas”. He says more flights from Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan will continue to drive growth.
The growth and competition is spurring Yalong Bay hotels to new heights.
