Stelliers on Tour: Southern China’s Hospitality Industry Moves Forward with Confidence
The Stelliers Greater China 2026 Tour continued last week as Managing Director Simon Hansson Yu visited Guangzhou and Shenzhen, meeting with friends of Stelliers and leaders from the hospitality industry ahead of this year’s nominations deadline.
Rudolf Gimmi, General Manager, Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe
Jérôme Cazalet, General Manager, Hotel Indigo Guangzhou Haixinsha
Sam Cheng, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Guangzhou
Tom Zhang, General Manager, W Guangzhou
In Guangzhou, the recent Canton Fair once again underscored the city’s significance as one of China’s foremost international business hubs. While some hotels noted softer demand from parts of the Middle East amid ongoing global disruptions, many were able to redirect focus toward other international markets, supporting continued year-on-year growth. Several hotel leaders also shared that international travellers have returned in significant numbers, with some properties now seeing overseas guests account for up to 50% of total occupancy — a particularly encouraging sign for the city’s international recovery.
Franco Io, Area General Manager, The Garden Hotel
Jason Lu, General Manager, Conrad Guangzhou
Derrick Siew, General Manager, The Westin Pazhou and Courtyard Pazhou in Guangzhou
Jeffery Leng, General Manager, Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich
Eric Blomeyer, General Manager, Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou
Belinda Li, Director of HR, Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou
Meanwhile, Shenzhen continues to build on its strong momentum, supported by the city’s deep ties to China’s technology sector and the steady flow of business travellers it attracts. Weekend visitors from neighbouring Hong Kong are also contributing to this growth, reinforcing Shenzhen’s position as one of the region’s most dynamic hospitality markets. Across both luxury hospitality and lifestyle-led concepts, development continues at pace, reflecting a city that remains firmly at the forefront of the Greater Bay Area’s evolution.
Vivian Lin, General Manager, Park Hyatt Shenzhen
Chadi Chemaly, General Manager, Four Seasons Shenzhen
Karan Jain, Area General Manager, Ritz-Carlton Shenzhen
Colin Van Sickle, Resident Manager, Shangri-la Futian
Forest Sun, General Manager, The Langham Shenzhen
Sean Cai, Hotel Manager, Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen
Ozzy Oh, General Manager, Shangri-la Nanshan
Doris Deng, General Manager, St.Regis Shenzhen Bao’an and Stelliers Greater China 2019 Owner Representative of the Year
Betty Li, General Manager, Andaz Shenzhen Bay
Matthew Zhou, Area General Manager, Shenzhen Marriott Hotel Nanshan
With such encouraging developments across Southern China, we look forward to receiving another strong round of nominations for Stelliers Greater China 2026 and to celebrating the outstanding achievements of the region’s hospitality professionals later this year in Shanghai!
Celebrate the People Moving Hospitality Forward
There’s still time to nominate outstanding hospitality professionals for the Stelliers Greater China 2026.
Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond in their role over the past 12 months? Someone who has demonstrated leadership, resilience, creativity, or an exceptional commitment to improving the guest experience?
Now is the time to recognise their contribution to the industry.