Banyan Tree Lijiang celebrates a bumper year of awards (Chine)
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Banyan Tree Lijiang celebrates a bumper year of awards (Chine)
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Category: Asia Pacific
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2008-01-09
Launched in 2006, Banyan Tree Lijiang was envisioned as a “Living Heritage” project in the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Lijiang, in Yunnan, China’s southernmost province. Since then, this, Banyan’s Tree’s flagship resort in China, has clinched 15 major international awards demonstrating its firm commitment to providing sustainable luxury against a backdrop of authentic cultural experiences.
In the past month, Banyan Tree Lijiang scooped two prestigious titles at ceremonies in Hong Kong, winning a Grand Award at the influential 2007 Design For Asia (DFA) Awards and secondly, winning in the tightly contested Hotels and Tourism Resorts category, at the Marché International des Professionnels de l’Immobilier (MIPIM) awards, where it was chosen from over 100 projects from 15 countries.
The DFA award confirms the importance Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts places on the look, feel and experiential qualities of a property. Banyan Tree Lijiang was conceptualized by Banyan Tree’s own design division, Architrave Design & Planning, inspired by the indigenous Naxi ethnic group. The award came in recognition of its creative and original architecture, impact on Asian lifestyle and influence, as well as its commercial success. The award caps a fantastic first year of operations for the property, following a similar win by Banyan Tree Ringha, which is also located in Yunnan province, the previous year.
Says General Manager, Mr. Maximilian Lennkh, “Yunnan province, and especially Lijiang, is becoming an acclaimed destination in its own right. Banyan Tree Lijiang is not simply a case of being in the right place at the right time; the property introduces a unique luxury product that had never existed previously.
“Set against a spectacular backdrop of verdant hills and sweeping vistas, Banyan Tree Lijiang is a pioneering project that delivers not just the concept of individual villas with private pools and heated jet pools, but has the principle of sustainable tourism as the major driving force behind the resort. We are honoured to be the recipient of so many awards in the first year of operations, and we look forward to providing many more priceless experiences for our guests.”
Haul of Awards
Earlier this year, Banyan Tree Lijiang also received international accolades from the likes of Condé Nast Traveler (USA), which placed the resort on its annual Hot List 2007, together with Banyan Tree Spa Lijiang. National Geographic Traveler, Chinese edition, voted the property the Top Three Favoured Domestic Resorts in China in the Readers’ Choice Gold List. Consumer lifestyle magazine, Travel + Leisure, Chinese edition, further endorsed Banyan Tree Lijiang by declaring it one of the 2007 New Hotels Recommended in China.
Securing support from the travel industry as well, Banyan Tree Lijiang was chosen by the readers of Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Asia as Best New Resort Hotel at the TTG Travel Awards 2007.
In China, recognition came from 21st Century Business Herald in its auspicious Golden Pillow Awards where it went onto the list of the Top Ten Most Favoured Resorts in China. Banyan Tree Lijiang was declared the Top Vacation Hotel in China by the editorial team of World Traveller Magazine. The property was also recognised as the Best Luxury Resort for Yunnan by the prestigious Hurun Report, China’s foremost publishing authority in tracking China’s wealthiest people; Hurun Report’s flagship product is the China Rich List.
China Expansion Strategy
Banyan Tree has a significant presence in China, with three existing resorts – Banyan Tree Ringha, Banyan Tree Lijiang and Colours of Angsana Gyalthang Dzong Hotel, all located in Yunnan province. Within half a year, a world class resort and spa is expected to come on line at Sanya, on Hainan Island. Earlier this year, the Group also announced management contracts for three new hotels: Banyan Tree Beijing, Banyan Tree Shanghai and Banyan Tree Hangzhou.
These exciting projects follow from the Group's continued strategy of expansion in China. Currently, there are 11 projects slated to open over the next few years in China. These include two in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan province; two in Lhasa, in the Tibetan Autonomous Region; two in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and one Angsana resort in Lijiang.
Banyan Tree’s strategic presence in China is an indication of its confidence in the region’s growing outbound, inbound, and wholly domestic travel markets, as much as its affirmation to bring to these areas its own innovative luxury brand.
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