True, you would not normally associate the Arabian nights with Hangzhou. Still Muslim Chinese were a strong influence in trade in Huangzhou and several relics linking China to the Arab world exist. These are featured at the Arabian Travel Market 2008. This tourism promotion of Hangzhou made it the first ever Chinese city to aggressively promote tourism within the UAE and in the Middle East.

In fact, Arabian link or no, Hangzhou is a remarkably attractive city. Marco Polo visited Hangzhou in the late 13th century and referred to the city as ‘beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world.’

He called the city Kinsay which simply means ‘capital’ in Chinese (actually Polo used a Persianized version of the word). Although he exaggerated — Marco Polo was not always a teller of the absolute truth — and said the city was over one hundred miles in diameter and had 12,000 stone bridges, still he thought the city remarkable.

He wrote: ‘The number and wealth of the merchants, and the amount of goods that passed through their hands, was so enormous that no man could form a just estimate thereof.’

Which gave Li Hong, Director of Hangzhou Tourism Commission, a running start when, at the Arabian Travel Market, he urged Arab tourists to come to Hangzhou and see for themselves the Phoenix Mosque, one of four ancient Islamic mosques in China built during the Tang Dynasty between 618 and 907 A.D.

Plus the tomb of Bhatia, the Arabian scholar and doctor, who came to the capital of ancient China, Lin-an (now known as Hangzhou) in Southern Song Dynasty, fell in love with the city and settled there spreading Islam in the area dating back to as far as 800 years ago. And as an added benefit more than 700 Lanzhou hand-extended noodle shops selling halal traditional Muslim food and qualified Hangzhou cuisine.

The tourism official said that their participation in the Arabian Travel Market 2008 demonstrated their commitment to a long friendly relation with the UAE, especially Dubai.
Source: MenaFN

The Marco Polo hotel group is expanding in Asia and especially into China. Jeffrey Flowers, president of the Hong Kong-based hotel group, waxing poetic used the history and imagery of Marco Polo to get his point across. He said, ‘Like Marco Polo did a long time ago, we are setting out on a new journey of discovery this year. We are digging deep into our roots, which are firmly in Asia, to offer travelers a unique experience — a blend of contemporary Chinese meets modern Italian.’

(In fact, there are many claims that Marco Polo was, in truth, a Croatian so perhaps a few Croatian touches would not be out of order. That is him in the illustration having a chat with Kublai Khan and he does look more Croatian than Italian. But, perhaps, it is less than a perfect portrait.)

Jeffrey Flowers in his career has been general manager of the Plaza in New York which is possibly the most expensive hotel in the world and plainly will be used to working with a high level of style. In that opening statement with its geographical flourishes he might have included besides Croatia, Thailand — which Marco Polo probably never visited although his voyage of 1291 came very close — which supplies the Mandara Spa which is a feature of the Marco Polo Shenzhen which was opened last year. And is appearing in other Marco Polo hotels.

Marco Polo has just added a new sales and development office in Shanghai, complementing existing sales offices one of which is in Beijing.

In December an opening is planned for a Marco Polo in Wuhan. Jeffrey Flowers said, ‘With its outstanding river front location, the Marco Polo Wuhan will become the leading hotel in the city and will be the flagship of the Wharf China’s new development, Wuhan Times Square.’

The company has also announced a new project in Chengdu.

Next up, early next year, will be the Marco Polo Parkside in Beijing which is located only 800 meters from the entrance to the 2008 Olympic Games and is on a spot undoubtedly visited by Marco Polo in 1264.

Going forward are joint venture projects such as the Marco Polo Xiamen and yet another in Shenzhen neither of which Marco Polo visited. But the style will be the same.
Source: 4Hoteliers and research

Jeffrey Flowers, President of the Hong Kong-based hotel group, Marco Polo, said, ‘Like Marco Polo did a long time ago, we are setting out on a new journey of discovery this year. We are digging deep into our roots, which are firmly in Asia, to offer travelers a unique experience — a blend of contemporary Chinese meets modern Italian.’

Marco Polo Hotels, owned by the Hong Kong Wharf Group, last year added a new hotel in China, the Marco Polo Shenzhen in the Futian District of Shenzhen in China. It also added a new sales and development office in Shanghai, complementing existing sales offices in Beijing. It has also announced new projects in Wuhan and Chengdu. In April, it will open the Marco Polo Parkside in Beijing, located only 800 meters from the entrance to the 2008 Olympic Games.

A December opening is planned for the Marco Polo Wuhan which will be the centerpiece of Wharf China’s new development, Wuhan Times Square. Marco Polo Hotels now has a portfolio of 13 properties in Asia including: Marco Polo Parkside, Beijing (2007); Marco Polo Xidan, Beijing; Marco Polo, Chengdu (2009); Marco Polo, Shenzhen; Marco Polo, Wuhan (2007); Marco Polo, Xiamen; Marco Polo, Wuxi (2011).
Source: Press release