In the six provinces of Central China the tourism industry has shown a continuing momentum of rapid growth.

According to the information from the 4th Central China Travel Expo (CCTE) the average annual growth of tourism income and the total number of tourists received in the six provinces reached 20% which is higher than the GDP growth rate and the average growth level of China’s tourism industry.

In 2007, the six provinces, Shanxi (shown in our illustration), Jiangxi, Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan received a total of 599 million domestic and foreign tourists.

This gave a reported total tourism income of RMB434.638 billion, up 28.88% on the previous year.

The number of foreign tourists reached 5.5955 million which was up 25.82% over the previous year.

RMB1 billion has been invested into the tour destinations, resorts, hotels and also an Expo venue construction in the six provinces.
Source: English People’s Daily Online

Hilton Hefei in Anhui province was recognized as one of the Best Business Hotels in China by Forbes China. The guide surveys business execs in China and selects the top 50 hotels out of the 300 five-star hotels on the mainland. 

The hotel is the newest addition to Hilton’s properties in China having opened in February this year. Business incentives include 13 meeting rooms, an executive boardroom, 24-hour manned business center and a 1,600 square meter ballroom accomodating 1,200 people.

Pictured is Luc Bollen, General Manager, receiving the award.
Source: PR Hilton Hefei

One of the peaks on popular tourist attraction Huangshan mountain has been closed for three years to allow vegetation to recover from the hordes of tourists who visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The barring of visitors to Danxia Feng, or ‘Purple Cloud Peak,’ is part of a revolving series of closures of sites on the mountain, located in Anhui province, about 745 miles south of the Chinese capital, Beijing.

Another of the mountain’s scenic spots, Shixin Peak, reopened to tourists on July 1 after authorities restored trees and shrubs.

The official China Daily newspaper called the closure the ‘latest move to protect one of China’s World Heritage Sites.’

The area boasts 72 named peaks within a 59-square-mile area, with the three highest rising above 5,905 feet.

China has among UNESCO’s largest number of listed sites.
Source: USA Today

On March 24, Hilton Hefei welcomed Hong Kong film actress Carina Lau (picture here shaking hands with General Manager Luc Bollen) at the launch of Longines BelleArti collection in Hefei. Lau is an ambassador of the Longines watch brand.

Hilton Hefei opened for business earlier this year and is one of the newest hotels in Anhui’s capital. The 561-room hotel is located in Hefei’s new Railway Business Development Area and is managed through a partnership with Anhui Yuan Yi Hotel Company Ltd.

It houses a huge 6,000 square meter health club and spa and has extensive MICE facilities.
Source: Hilton Hefei

The fifth Hilton Hotel in China opened its doors on February 9 in the capital of Anhui province. The Hilton Hefei is located in the city’s new Railway Business Development Area, 20 minutes from Luogang Airport.

Koos Klein, President of Hilton Hotels Middle East and Asia Pacific, said ‘Hilton Hotels’ presence in China is set to grow aggressively in the next three years with over 8,000 rooms in our pipeline … the Hilton Hefei is a symbol of our committment to this market, and as its iconic design heralds the new direction of the Hilton brand in China, appealing not only to our loyal customers but also to a younger, discerning set of travellers.’

The major attraction of the 561-room hotel is its 6,000 square meter spa, Spa@Hilton. Overlooking landscaped-rooftop gardens, the spa has a fully-equipped gym, two tennis courts, indoor swimming pool, 12 private spa suites and 26 treatment rooms.

The hotel also has MICE facilities; 13 large Meeting Rooms, an Executive Boardroom and a 24-hour manned business center.
Source: PR Hilton Hefei

Jinling Yixian Hotel, which lies at the foot of the historic Yellow Mountain in Anhui province, celebrated its grand opening on October 10. The hotel is located close to the “cultural” villages of Xidi and Hong which were built inside the mountain hundreds of years ago and depict traditional Chinese architecture. Jinling Yixian Hotel has 198 guest rooms, Chinese and Western restaurants, spa facilities and even a chess room.
Source: Jinling Hotels & Resorts