Managing Team Spirit In The Gloria Resort Sanya

Sergio Bretti, the general manager of the Gloria Resort Sanya, is an Italian by birth and an Australian citizen by choice and has more than 30 years experience in the hospitality industry. He has worked in China for more than eight years.

What hardware facilities does the Gloria Resort Sanya feature?
China's first deluxe five-star resort hotel, the Gloria Resort Sanya in the Yalong Bay National Resort District features 160 acres of land with a full frontal view of the South China Sea.

The Gloria Resort Sanya offers 403 guestrooms, suites and a presidential villa with breathtaking views of the South China Sea or of the award-winning golf course just around the corner. All rooms are well appointed with modern facilities and guest services including a complimentary high-speed broadband connection.

The hotel offers a good selection of restaurants and bars venues to suit the guest's every mood. We feature the Atrium Cafe (South East Asian and International Cuisine), Sampan Seafood Restaurant (Cantonese Cuisine), Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, Beach Bar, and Chill Out Ice Cream Bar.

The hotel has a large area available for teambuilding. Activities such as archery, tennis, swimming, Beach Volleyball, beach football and water basketball, all are available to create that corporate team spirit or for family entertainment.

Relaxation is provided by a professional native Thai therapist as well as the body treatment for guests to enjoy through our Spa Garden.

What is the market position of the Gloria Resort Sanya?
As "China's First Deluxe Five-star Resort", Gloria Resort Sanya has been a constant benchmark for existing and new resorts opening in China. We have had more than 12 years of resort operations and service experience.

Of our clientele, 80% are from mainland China. We are targeting the domestic market by expanding our clientele from West China and East china from places such as Chongqing, Chengdu, and Nanjing. The overseas market is definitely affected by the current world economic crisis and the strength of China's currency. However, we will not give up on this segment and will continue to increase business from this segment by offering flexible rates and value added packages through overseas online travel agents. We are targeting to increase the overseas market percentage to 25-30% over the next one to two years.

What are the distinguishing features of the hotel's MICE facilities?
The Gloria Ballroom with its grandeur and size can easily accommodate 550 persons for a function or a conference of international stature. The ballroom can be further partitioned into two smaller multi-functional rooms. There are also 10 smaller meeting and function rooms with a capacity of up to 100 persons each with natural day light and views of the South China Sea. Our modern range of audio visual equipment and the dedicated professional events team will ensure clients' meetings are memorable.

Please outline the outside events the hotel can organize.
Benefiting from the largest outdoor garden in the Yalong Bay, the hotel can provide more than 8,800 square meters to host more than 2,500 people for outdoor banquets. Apart from the outdoor garden, the Bay View Patio and Sea Breeze Pavilion are also able to cater for different sizes of outdoor event offering different atmospheres.

The latest Sea Breeze Lawn, which is over 2,500 square meters and is just a few meters away from the white sandy beach on the South China Sea, is suitable for all kinds of events and teambuilding activities.

What special dishes does the hotel offer? What about new dishes created for MICE guests?
The only Japanese Restaurant in Yalong Bay, Gloria's Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, can offer the Teppanyaki cooking by our senior chef at the guests' table. Those guests who yearn for authentic Japanese cuisine, will not be disappointed by the fresh sashimi, sushi, tempura, hotpot and bento box. A Tatami room is available for VIP groups.

The Sampan Seafood Restaurant is well-known for its flavorful Cantonese cuisine and fresh treasures from the ocean. Its pleasant ambiance is further complemented by the impeccable service in cool comfort with breathtaking views of the South China Sea. Sampan offers Chinese set menus as well as buffets to suit the need of every group.

For MICE guests, hotel has created a unique range of themed coffee breaks which range from traditional Chinese style to a tropical Hainan island flavor. Dozens of choices of special snacks such as traditional Chinese dim sum or tropical savories made from coconut together with coconut coffee will ensue our guest have an unforgettable and perfect meeting.

What measures does the hotel take to adapt to the development of the MICE business in Sanya?
The hotel has set up a dedicated event team to offer comprehensive MICE options, tailoring events to the organizer's needs, providing one stop service to the event organizer, and ensuring they have a hassle free MICE experience.

We have developed value added meeting package in order to suit the market needs — especially during the current world financial crisis. Benefits such as a free meeting room, accommodation, and a limousine service for organizer are some of the selling points of our meeting packages.

What are your thoughts on the MICE industry in Sanya?
Given the efforts of the Sanya government to introduce Sanya as an international Island to the world — opening duty-free shops, improving infrastructure, building a new airport and expanding air links, we foresee that Sanya in next five years will become one of the most renowned and popular destinations for both the MICE and leisure markets.