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Winning China’s Millennial Generation with New China Pride, Shimao Star Launches All-new Lifestyle Hotel Brand ETHOS

Published

5 years ago

May 28, 2019

Newsfile

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Hotel Plus — Shanghai International Hospitality Design and Supplies Expo recently took place in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in Pudong, Shanghai. Shimao Star Hotels Group (hereafter referred to as “Shimao Star”) participated in the event and launched its all- new hotel brand – ETHOS (the Chinese name “Fan Xiang“). Purposely designed for Chinese millennials, ETHOS hotel offers a blend of contemporary culture and Chinese legacy with a view to igniting millennials’ imagination and their explosive creativity. The brand is a response to Chinese millennials’ sense of identity as a generation which sees themselves as born to be proud and strive to redefine Chinese heritage.

At the press conference, Tyrone Tang, Vice President of Shimao Group, Chairman & CEO of Shanghai Shimao Hotel Management Company, CEO of Shimao Star Hotels Group said: “As the primary force driving consumption in the Chinese tourism market, the millennial generation has always been an important customer segment for us. Since the collaboration between Shimao Group and Starwood Capital Group (SCG), innovative upgrades have been continually practiced to our existing 6 hotel brands. Now the launch of the all-new brand ETHOS marks the first hotel brand that Starwood Capital co-created with a Chinese company and designed for a Chinese demographic group. Drawing upon the extensive expertise from both parties in hotel development, brand operation and asset management, we will bring a vibrant lifestyle experience to China’s millennials, which resonates with their pride in being Chinese, and opens up a new direction among Chinese hotels.”

The New China Pride
The Chinese name of the brand is “Fan Xiang“. “Fan” in Chinese stands for everything in its totality, and also represents the secular, as well as reflecting Chinese millennials’ determined and out-of-the-ordinary outlook on life. Meanwhile, “Xiang” encompasses diversity and represents all forms of change. The English name ETHOS is derived from Greek, and refers to the particular character or spirit of a culture or time period. Here, it is used to express the unique disposition of Chinese millennials and their sense of national pride, as well as their refusal to settle for the status quo. As an upper-mid tier lifestyle brand that Shimao Star has tailored to China’s millennial travellers, ETHOS is well-adapted to benefit from the rise of China and the nation’s rapid development, as well as from the appeal that Chinese culture holds for Chinese millennials who are proud of their heritage as well as modern innovations. As such, the brand will satisfy the demand of millennial travellers, and deepen the world’s understanding of China’s new culture along with the brand’s expansion and growth.

Significantly, the new China pride is fully evident throughout the design and construction of ETHOS hotels, during which preference was given to high-quality and original Chinese products and designs. Also, in cooperation with many outstanding independent Chinese brands, ETHOS Hotel develops customized products that better suit the lifestyle and inclinations of Chinese millennial travellers. More than just a slogan, “Made-in-China” has truly become eccentric to the brand experience.

The Joy of The Social Nomad
In terms of travelling experience, the new generation of consumers demands more than simply lodging – they place greater emphasis on interaction with the local culture, self-expression and connecting with like-minded travellers. Simulating the sense of cosiness needed in a real work environment, the ETHOS hotel creates a work space for guests that is designed with detail-oriented human touches and draws guests closer together, encourages interaction and social contact in order to trigger moments of inspiration and creativity. The co-working space at ETHOS Hotel, branded as “Connexis”, is a creative and vibrant community that fosters thinking and collaboration, in which social activities such as informal discussions, evening refreshments, and night-time runs will be regularly organized for guests to socialize and enjoy the spark of new connections. ETHOS firmly believes that the neighbourhood culture surrounding a travel destination is the heart and soul of a city. The space inside the hotel offers a glimpse of the city in miniature. When guests step into the hotel’s social lobby, “The Common Room”, they will stumble upon local cultural and art workshops, local music performances and authentic local food markets. Through the “AI Interactive Community Screen”, developed by ETHOS together with the artificial intelligence company SenseTime, guests can explore the local community, interact socially, and share moments with others. In addition to an enthusiastic ETHOS service team, guests can also benefit from smart technology with a human touch, including self-service, smart room control, and facial recognition throughout the ETHOS Hotel. This blended service system allows guests to experience unique and seamless service from booking, check-in to departure, and each and every visitor can enjoy unparalleled VIP treatment.

Escape the Ordinary with Bespoke Experience
ETHOS has gone to great lengths to ensure that every detail of the hotel speaks to the millennial generation of China’sidentify and ingenuity with break-through from traditional boundaries. From the moment guests arrive at ETHOS, they find themselves on a journey immersed with Chinese heritage redefined. Stepping into the hotel lobby, guests encounter flowing music that energizes and inspires the imagination, which is especially composed by the brand’s partners – Chinese independent musicians. ETHOS has also joined hands with emerging Chinese artists, making use of custom-made statues, photography exhibitions and art installations conveying the characteristics of the local culture. In this way, ETHOS revitalizes the inner cultural identity of Chinese millennials as a leading national hotel brand created for which they can feel a true sense of connection.

In sight of millennials’ pursuit of originality and self-expression, ETHOS particularly promotes personalized services, and the hotel’s online platform allows guests to customize their own experience, including the content of the mini bar, technology infused mattress, made-to-order breakfasts as well as the choices to upgrade amenities and dining experience to distinctive local alternatives or independent brands. ETHOS seeks to satisfy customers’ desires in every detail, creating a highly personalized and exclusive experience for each traveller, enabling them to enjoy his or her own personal touches amidst the busy rhythms of each day. Not only is that so, ETHOS also fully appreciates that China’sconvention-defying millennials would not be satisfied with a traditional membership plan. A diversity of carefully screened partners with the same brand philosophy have been selected to provide guests with a wide range of membership benefits. Meanwhile, Shimao Star Hotels Group, in conjunction with ETHOS, invites ground-breaking Chinese technology, culture, and lifestyle companies or product IPs to join efforts to create a world-facing platform where Chinese millennials can experience the true ‘proud to be Chinese’ lifestyle.

ETHOS is expected to launch in Xiamen and Wuhan first, with the world’s first ETHOS Hotel opening in the fourth quarter of 2019. Shimao Star Hotels Group will also strive to gradually promote the ETHOS hotel to China’s first- and second-tier cities. In addition, ETHOS will be one of the main brands to be expanded by Shimao Star in overseas cities. Preferred locations include business areas and transportation hubs in vibrant neighbourhoods. Pioneering in terms of its new Chinese national pride and its advancement of China’s hotel industry, the launch of the new ETHOS brand marks a further expansion of Shimao Star’s market domain, yielding an array of seven distinctive hotel brands. These are the luxury Yu Resorts, upscale Yuluxe Hotels, upper-tier Yu Hotels, upscale serviced apartment Yu Residence, upper-mid tier select service MiniMax Premier Hotel, mid-tier select service MiniMax hotel, and upper-mid tier lifestyle ETHOS Hotel, which targets millennials. The brand lines satisfy the needs of different consumers, ranging from high-end full service to select service hotels, and from urban business hotels to resorts and serviced apartments.

SOURCE Shimao Star Hotels Group

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China’s AIMA brand electric motorbike is now in Bangladesh

Published

10 hours ago

November 23, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

DHAKA, Bangladesh, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With the popularity of electric vehicles in Bangladesh, the globally renowned AIMA brand has also arrived in Bangladesh. The esteemed DX Group has brought the AIMA F-626 to customers. This environmentally friendly battery-operated electric motorbike has already been approved by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) now.

In light of the increasing popularity of electric motorcycles in the country, the internationally-leading brand AIMA has entered the market. By the end of 2023, AIMA electric two-wheelers had established a presence in over 50 countries worldwide, with 11 global production bases, including overseas factories in Indonesia and Vietnam. In 2022, AIMA collaborated with Rob Janoff, the designer of the Apple logo, to refresh the brand’s VI system with a youthful and fashionable image. In 2023, AIMA teamed up with PANTONE, the global authority in color expertise, to create the trending color of the year. As an industry leader, AIMA spearheads the electric two-wheeler sector and showcases the prowess of a leading electric two-wheeler brand on a global scale. As of March 31, 2024, AIMA’s total electric two-wheeler sales had reached 80 million units, earning certification from Frost & Sullivan, a globally recognized business growth consulting firm, as the “Global Leading Electric Two-wheeler Brand”.

Over the years, AIMA has always been a product trendsetter in the electric two-wheeler sector. As of March 31, 2024, the total sales volume of AIMA electric two-wheelers reached 80 million, and Frost & Sullivan, a world-renowned market consulting company, awarded AIMA with the market status certification of the “Global Leading Electric Two-wheeler Brand (by Sales)”.

AIMA adhere to the customer-centered product philosophy and technologies that support long-term innovation and breakthroughs. We believe that the efficiency and modern technology of the AIMA F-626 will present an excellent alternative means of communication for our customers.

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China Telecom Gulf Officially Launches in Saudi Arabia for Business

Published

11 hours ago

November 23, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

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HONG KONG, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On November 21, China Telecom Gulf was officially launched in Riyadh. This milestone marks a significant step in China Telecom’s efforts to provide deep services under the “Belt and Road Initiative” and to promote the building of a “China-Arab Community with a Shared Future.” It signifies another solid advancement on China Telecom’s path toward internationalization. Mr. Liu Guiqing, Executive Director and EVP of China Telecom Corporation, delivered an opening speech, along with Mr. Fawaz, Representative of Contact Office of Chinese Companies in the KSA, Deputy General Manager of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Riyadh Branch. Over 100 guests and leaders from the Economic and Commercial Office of Embassy of the PRC of the KSA, Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Bank of China, Huawei, and others attended to witness this momentous occasion.

In his address, Mr. Liu Guiqing emphasized China Telecom’s commitment to openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit. He expressed the company’s willingness to share its experiences in cloud-network integration, cloud transformation, intelligent operations, and technological innovation. China Telecom aims to work closely with various levels of Saudi governments, enterprises, and partners to actively participate in the development of local digital infrastructure, drive the rapid advancement of next-generation information technologies, and establish a robust bridge for cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in the field of information technology. Leveraging its extensive resources and global operational capabilities, China Telecom plans to bring its strengths in 5G, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other fields to provide innovative, high-quality communication products and services to Saudi enterprises, institutions, and consumers.

Mr. Fawaz extended his warm congratulations on the opening of China Telecom Gulf. He highlighted that as a leading global provider of communication services, China Telecom possesses abundant cloud-network resources and mature international service capabilities. The establishment of China Telecom Gulf is a significant step toward supporting the digital transformation of businesses in the region. He expressed confidence that through joint efforts, the company will seize opportunities in the digital era and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s socio-economic development and practical cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in various fields.

China Telecom showcased its global resources, business capabilities, and its investments and partnerships in the Middle East and Africa. Key services introduced included eSurfing Cloud, computing power solutions, quantum technology, and customized 5G networks. Currently, China Telecom operates branches in 42 countries and regions worldwide, owns 53 international submarine cables, and manages 27 self-operated Internet Data Centers (IDCs). Its cloud-network integrated infrastructure and customer-centric digital service systems provide coverage across the globe.

During the event, China Telecom Gulf signed strategic cooperation agreements with Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Huawei Saudi Arabia, and Baud Telecom Company. The parties committed to deep collaboration, leveraging their respective strengths to provide optimized and convenient digital experiences to Saudi customers.

The establishment of China Telecom’s presence in Saudi Arabia marks a major milestone in the company’s entry into the Middle Eastern communications market, representing a key development in its global strategy. Moving forward, China Telecom Gulf will leverage China Telecom’s robust digital infrastructure and resource integration capabilities. We will collaborate closely with local Saudi enterprises, Chinese businesses expanding internationally, and global companies to strengthen cooperation and enhance exchanges. The company aims to contribute to the growth of Sino-Saudi and Middle Eastern industrial cooperation, continuously offering more smart solutions for the development of the Middle East’s digital economy, while striving to become a world-class provider of digital and intelligent technology services.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/china-telecom-gulf-officially-launches-in-saudi-arabia-for-business-302314765.html

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Redefining Financial Frontiers: Nucleus Software Celebrates 30 Years with Synapse 2024 in Singapore

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

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SINGAPORE, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The thriving India–Singapore partnership in banking and technology reached a new milestone as Nucleus Software celebrated 30 years of transformative innovation at Synapse 2024, held in Singapore. The event underscored the company’s role in redefining financial services across Southeast Asia (SEA) and the globe, bringing together leaders in finance and technology to explore a shared vision for the future of banking.

Synapse 2024 celebrated 30 years of Nucleus Software’s leadership in driving transformative change across Singapore and Southeast Asia’s financial ecosystem. The event also shone a spotlight on the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), an initiative supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to champion responsible technology adoption. The event highlighted the deepening synergies between India and Singapore, driven by their shared commitment to innovation, cross-border collaboration, and financial inclusion. As the financial services sector undergoes rapid evolution with advancements in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital banking, these partnerships are setting the stage for a more connected, resilient, and inclusive global ecosystem.

Vishnu R. Dusad, Co-founder and Managing Director of Nucleus Software, reflected on the milestone: “For over 30 years, we’ve had the privilege of aligning our journey with Singapore’s ascent as a global financial powerhouse. Back in 1994, when we chose to go East instead of West, it was a bold and emotional decision—guided by our belief in Singapore as a hub for innovation and collaboration. We saw then what remains true today: Singapore is at the heart of the global financial landscape, a place where new ideas take root, and partnerships thrive.”

The event brought together a distinguished array of participants, highlighting the transformative potential of India–Singapore collaboration. Mr. Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS Group and the Guest of Honor, set the tone for the event with his opening remarks, emphasizing the transformative role of big tech in reimagining scalable, customer-centric financial services in the digital age.

Following his address, key speakers enriched the discussions with their insights. Mr. Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Group CEO-Designate of The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), underlined the importance of fostering responsible technology adoption and building inclusive financial ecosystems. Mr. Vinod Rai, globally respected public policy expert, Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore, and former Comptroller and Auditor General of India, shared his perspectives on governance and policy frameworks in financial systems. Mr. S.M. Acharya, Chairman of Nucleus Software and former Defence Secretary of India, offered a visionary outlook on leveraging technology to modernize and secure banking frameworks. Finally, Mr. Pieter Franken, Co-founder and Director of GFTN (Japan), a global FinTech pioneer and deep tech innovator, discussed the future of decentralized finance and its implications for the financial sector.

The event showcased the transformative role of technology in global financial systems, emphasizing innovations that set benchmarks for scalability and inclusivity. Panelists discussed the importance of localized solutions, the challenges of cross-border integration, and leveraging dual business models to optimize capital and foster public participation. The dialogue highlighted the need for common standards, unified frameworks like APIs, and collaborative efforts to accelerate financial inclusion and drive global connectivity in the digital age.

For 30 years, Nucleus Software has consistently introduced advanced lending and banking solutions that support financial institutions’ evolving needs in Singapore and South East Asia. Driven by lean development methodologies like Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD) and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CICD), Nucleus Software continues to push boundaries in efficient, flexible, and secure financial technology.

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