Opening The Prototype Courtyard In Beijing

Anthony Ha, general manager of the Courtyard By Marriott Beijing Northeast Hotel, was born in Vietnam but grew up in the United States. He finds speaking English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Cantonese an advantage in the hospitality industry, especially as he welcomes guests from around the world to China's capital city.

What have been the major challenges you faced during the pre-opening of your hotel?
Looking for the right person for the right job — manning is also another big challenge.

How will the Courtyard by Marriott Beijing Northeast Hotel differentiate itself from other similar hotels in the area?
I am really excited about this particular Courtyard as Courtyard by Marriott Beijing Northeast is a new prototype for the Courtyard brand specifically catering for a new hybrid of achievement and enjoyment traveler who actively manage the demands of their business life and personal time in the emerging and dynamic new world. It will be refreshing, contemporary and energizing!

What is the expected split of your guests between leisure and MICE/corporate? And how do you see the domestic market developing your business over the next few years?
Courtyard by Marriott is designed with the business traveler in mind and that is why our Courtyard Vision is "To be the frequent business traveler's oasis on the road." But of course leisure travelers are just as important to us.

There will definitely be an increase in the domestic market. Foreign enterprises are setting up their businesses in Beijing with increasing demands for products and services. Local trades and production are surging in parallel with the demand so the market here will definitely be blooming over the next few years.

What are some of the major challenges that you and other hoteliers face in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics? And how do you expect the Beijing hotel market to be later this year when the Olympics are over?
It's a very competitive market for the hospitality industry. Hotel opening date, rates and occupancies will be some of the challenges every hotelier will face in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics.

It depends on the location of the hotel. If a hotel is located at a prime spot, it doesn't matter whether the Olympics is over or not.

What type of training and incentives do you offer your staff?
We offer Marriott core training and safety training to all our associates. We want them to develop and grow with Marriott. Career development is endless if you join Marriott. We will have more than 10 Marriott properties in Beijing by the year 2010 and there will be opportunities for cross-exposure and promotion.

How are you using Internet and email marketing to attract more guests from the business and MICE sectors?
All Marriott hotels will have their properties listed in the Marriot website. We also send our hotel information and promotions to different online marketing providers and out hotel eDM and e-Newsletter for our corporate clients.

What corporate social responsibility initiatives is the hotel implementing?
It is part of Marriott's core culture to serve the community and make it a better place to live and work because we are there. Which is why every year, each Marriott property will organize a social activity called “Spirit to Serve our Communities” to create a better place to live and work for the society and environment.

If you had thirty seconds to tell people why they should stay in the Courtyard by Marriott Beijing Northeast Hotel what would you say?
Courtyard by Marriott Beijing Northeast will be the prime choice for all frequent business travelers. We are a full-service hotel with 24 hours in-room dinning and 24-hours access to the business centre and fitness centre. Our guest rooms combined functionality and style, providing guests with the essentials for their business needs. From a large work desk, comfortable bedding, high-speed Internet access, LCD flat screen TV, to advanced IP phone, the guest room itself is a connection hub and personal haven. Wireless Internet connection is also available throughout the public areas. Courtyard by Marriott Beijing Northeast is going to be refreshing, contemporary and energizing and the future of all Courtyard by Marriott.