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Rich Hong, the inaugural general manager of the City 7 Pullman Hotel in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, believes the five-star hotel will see growing demand from guests in the city, which is transforming itself into a Mecca for science and culture. / Courtesy of the City 7 Pullman |
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
A five-star hotel in a city famous for factories spewing smoke may sound like a risky venture. However, Rich Hong, general manager of City 7 Pullman in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, believes the city will become a so-called ``Blue Ocean'' for the first luxury hotel in the region.
He sees a great growth potential and business opportunities in the city.
``Changwon has been transforming itself into a city of tech and culture,'' Hong told The Korea Times. ``We saw great potential in terms of the hotel business. And there is actually great demand.''
As Hong pointed out, the city has been undergoing massive development projects led by the municipal government since early 2000 to become an international city of high-tech science and culture.
As part of the development projects, the city government has completed a large-scale complex that houses a convention center, the Changwon Exhibition Convention Center, and other facilities.
The new hotel opened on June 12 after three-years of construction as part of the complex, which also houses three shopping malls, a trade center, office buildings, theaters and restaurants.
Hong said participants from home and abroad in international conventions will be guests at the new property.
``There were two existing business hotels in the city. But they were full of businessmen and engineers visiting the city's industrial factories and manufacturing complexes. But as the city is expected to invite more international guests, the demand will be greater,'' Hong said.
He expected the city's evolution and expansion will attract more travelers.
``We also think that we can bring more travelers to our hotel, who seek more affordable accommodation from nearby Busan, which can be seen an expensive city,'' Hong said.
To meet international standards and facilitate overseas marketing, the hotel has also signed a business partnership with the international hotel chain group, Accord Pullman Hotel and Resort Brand.
Currently, to celebrate the grand opening, 338 works by famed Korean photographer Kim Joong-man are on display in rooms and the gallery at the hotel. The works will be displayed through the end of 2008.
The hotel will offer summer packages, entitled ``Escape Summer,'' which is available from July 16 to Aug. 31. It includes two free tickets for the hotel's spa as well as two movie tickets.
For more information, call (055) 600-0700.
e3dward@koreatimes.co.kr
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