Li Lai Hotel Develops Sea and Ecological Tourism

3:26:29 PM | 7/8/2005

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2005, VIB Forum interviewed Ms. Xiang Ai Fen, managing director of the Li Lai International Hotel in Mong Cai Town, Quang Ninh province.

Can you tell some achievements of the Li Lai hotel?

Li Lai hotel is designed with five-star standards, set up by the Hai Ninh-Loi Lai joint venture company. It began to operating on January 3, 2002. In 2003, despite negative impacts of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the hotel and the Li Lai International Club received 45,644 guests and about 200,000 visitors, with a room occupancy rate of 51 per cent. By September 2004, Li Lai had received 47,177 guests and 280,000 visitors. Our room occupancy rate reached 65 per cent and annual revenues have seen an increase of between 10 and 15 per cent per year. The Li Lai International Hotel joined the Golden Key Hotels of the World on February 14, 2004.

What services does the Li Lai international hotel offer its guests? What are the specific features of these services?

Located in the centre of the Mong Cai border economic zone, the Li Lai international hotel was designed with French-Spanish architecture, it is surrounded by the Ka Long river, parks, swimming pools, and a music fountain. With its convenient location, modern facilities and specific architectural features, the Li Lai international hotel has become an attractive hotel to visitors.

What do you think about Vietnam’s possibility to attract tourists?

Many localities in Vietnam have great potential for tourism development. However, to tap fully such potential, the Vietnamese Government should issue suitable mechanisms and policies to encourage investment. Also, the Vietnamese people’s awareness of a clean and healthy tourism environment should be improved. Promotion activities should be boosted, especially the promotion of specific features in Vietnam’s life.

Where will you select for your further business expansion?

From 1993, we were aware of great potential of Mong Cai town for tourism development. Mong Cai links with the Ha Long Bay, a world natural heritage site, and Bai Tu Long bay, to create a special sea tours in Quang Ninh province.

If we want to expand our business, we will continue to select Mong Cai town, where we will tap fully its potential for the development of sea and ecological tourism, turning the town into an ideal destination for visitors. At present, we have contributed our capital to the Li Lai Entertainment Development Company in Hong Kong to set up the Vinh Thuan joint venture company. The project has recently been granted with a licence to be carried out in Tra Co ward by the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The project, capitalised at USUS$36 million with duration of 50 years, includes an 18-hole golf course, a five-star hotel and entertainment facilities.

What targets has your hotel set for market expansion?

To increase our room occupancy rate to 85 per cent, we will expand our markets to Japan, the Republic of Korea, and ASEAN countries, instead of focusing on China only. In 2005, we have set targets of improving the quality of our services, and building up our position for the Li Lai trademark in the international market.