Fintech PR
Winning China’s Millennial Generation with New China Pride, Shimao Star Launches All-new Lifestyle Hotel Brand ETHOS
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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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DAY TWO OF HONG KONG INVESTOR SUMMIT TACKLES MEGATRENDS IMPACTING THE PLANET’S EIGHT BILLION CITIZENS
HONG KONG, Dec. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Future Investment Initiative PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong today reconvened leaders from finance and government for a second day to address global matters of concern to humanity.
One thousand global investors, policy makers, innovators and business leaders were joined by counterparts from across Asia to discuss ‘megatrends’ including the unstoppable rise of Asia as an economic power, the impact of technology on lifestyles and jobs, and the deployment of capital between diverse markets and economies.
The day began with a presentation by FII Institute CEO Richard Attias and COO Rakan Tarabzoni of the Priority Compass Report, a global survey of 53,000 people across 23 countries. The survey revealed a sharp drop of 20% worldwide in people’s overall satisfaction with their lives, with respondents reporting concerns over cost of living, loneliness, technology, and climate concerns. 65% of people in countries polled are worried about day-to-day living costs. Loneliness has leaped up the list of concerns, with 41% of Asia’s population reporting frequent feelings of loneliness. 55% of people worldwide are worried about access to affordable and accessible healthcare and climate concerns continue to deepen as 78% of people across the Global South are worried about pollution.
Laurence Moroney, Lead AI Advocate at Google addressed concerns about AI and the risk of biases emerging because of reliance on narrow English language datasets. Moroney pointed out that 60% of information on Web 2.0 is generated by bots.
He also argued that innovators in AI need to account for distinctive local cultural identities in the development of AI models and explained that Google’s Gemini is working to condense and preserve cultures into small models, allowing people to interact with, learn about, and preserve individual distinctive cultures.
A panel discussion on cost of living heard Jerry Li, Founder and Managing Partner eWTP Arabia Capital describe data as the new oil, a resource driving innovation and progress. The 120 zettabytes (120, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000 bytes) generated in 2023 is expected to increase by over 150% in 2025, to 181 zettabytes.
During a panel discussion on the future of work Edith Yeung of Race Capital suggested that AI will free people from doing the things that they do not want to do, freeing them for more meaningful activities. The average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime.
Raymond Yuan, CEO & Chairman CTH Group pointed out synergies between blockchain and AI starting to emerge in healthcare, life sciences, as well as financial services. The global Blockchain Market size was estimated to be approximately $7.4 billion in 2022 and the global artificial intelligence market $428 billion.
A panel of leading Asian venture capitalists debated ways in which Asia can grow vibrant and successful startup ecosystems, with $22.3 billion invested in Asian startups between July and September 2023.
Discussing the impact of investment on longevity and ageing Joshua Fink, Founder Luma Group, explained that revolutionary regenerative medicine, inspired by Nobel Prize-winning research, can reverse cells to a pre-disease state, offering hope against genetic diseases.
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman, Saudi Esports Federation described the spectacular growth of gaming over the last 20 years at 12% per year. By the end of 2023 it is projected there will be 3.75 billion gamers in the world.
In a ‘titan of industry’ fireside chat with Sir Martin Sorrell, Richard Attias and Sorrell surveyed the global media sector, worth $950 billion, with digital projected to comprise 70% by 2025. On the future of platforms such as TikTok Sorrell explained that with young people’s views being shaped by new forms of social media, issues surrounding data safety and privacy will continue. Discussing ‘hyper personalization’ he pointed out that Coca Cola is thinking about the potential for AI to target individual messages to consumers.
Rakan Tarabzoni, COO, FII Institute presented the summit with FII’s inclusive ESG tool, launched to help companies in emerging markets improve sustainability and help investment capital find current and future performance leaders. The tool, which has been made publicly available will address biases inbuilt in other ESG methods and may unlock a $5.4 trillion funding gap of investments into emerging markets.
In the final session HE Kjell Magne Bondevik former Prime Minister of Norway and President, Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Right declared himself convinced that businesses that take more seriously the concerns of common people will be the businesses that will thrive in the future.
The FII Institute has worked with HKEX and consulting firm Deloitte to offset the carbon emissions generated by the summit, by purchasing credits on the HKEX Core Climate exchange, exemplifying a shared conviction that purposeful markets and business can serve humanity as a force for good.
During the summit BOC International signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with SPIC International Finance (Hong Kong) Company Ltd. on green finance, bond investment and issuance, and global capital management. The signing was witnessed by Mr. Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong SAR.
The summit, held in partnership with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), took place at HKEX Connect Hall.
The FII PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong continues conversations held in Riyadh last month. It is part of an ongoing global programme of summits, to be held next year in Miami (February) Brazil (June) and Africa (September))
Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative Institute said:
“I should like to thank Hong Kong Government, the Hong Kong Exchange and the people of this fabulous city for the welcome they have shown us this week. As the world charts its forward course we must be mindful at every turn of the issues that matter. Whether it’s cost of living, developing new modes of payment, new social media platforms, or poverty, it is investment and innovation that can make the difference. The investors and innovators here this week have taken these issues seriously and the conversations and hard work will continue as we strive for a better tomorrow.”
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About FII Institute
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is a global non-profit foundation driven by data with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global and inclusive, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/day-two-of-hong-kong-investor-summit-tackles-megatrends-impacting-the-planets-eight-billion-citizens-302010435.html
VICTORIA, Seychelles, Dec. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — OrangeX, a global cryptocurrency exchange, is proud to unveil its $5 million Innovation Fund. Designed to bolster the Bitcoin ecosystem and propel blockchain innovation, the Fund’s core focus is on investing in promising projects within the Bitcoin ecosystem, including Ordinals Protocols and BRC-20 standard tokens.
In the dynamic landscape of the evolving Bitcoin ecosystem, various features and functionalities are continually reshaping its potential. Notably, the BRC-20 token standard has emerged as a key player, attracting significant attention.
Recognizing the surging demand and immense potential of BRC-20 standard token projects, OrangeX’s Innovation Fund stands ready to provide crucial capital and infrastructure support to empower the community in building a resilient and flourishing Bitcoin ecosystem.
Exciting Bitcoin Ecosystem Initiatives
OrangeX is proud to introduce a range of products and services tailored for the Bitcoin ecosystem and projects, catering to user preferences. Key offerings include:
- Bitcoin-based Token Trading: Facilitating the listing and trading of Bitcoin-based tokens. ORDI, the largest BRC-20 token, is now available on both OrangeX Spot and Perpetual Contracts.
- Bitcoin Ecosystem Information: Providing valuable insights and analytics on the Bitcoin ecosystem.
- Bitcoin Ecosystem Token Launchpad: Offering a fair and efficient token distribution service for promising Bitcoin ecosystem projects with financial, technical, and marketing assistance. Share early ecosystem returns with a larger customer base. Interested project owners can contact [email protected] for more information.
OrangeX CEO, Alexandra K, expressed confidence in the potential of outstanding Bitcoin Ecosystem projects. He stated, “These projects not only stand to receive financial backing from OrangeX but also gain access to a suite of services, resources, and connections available through our platform. With these tools, we believe our supported projects will thrive, succeed, and have a positive impact on the world.”
Empowering the Bitcoin Ecosystem: OrangeX’s Pioneering Role
Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency, remains the bedrock of blockchain finance. Every trading platform benefits from the development of Bitcoin. If there is no Bitcoin, cryptocurrency exchange will no longer exist. With 15 years since its inception, the Bitcoin revolution continues to unfold, presenting a dynamic and evolving ecosystem. Anticipate groundbreaking innovations that will redefine possibilities.
As a central figure in this domain, every cryptocurrency exchange is urged to actively contribute to the ongoing development of the Bitcoin ecosystem. OrangeX, as a trailblazer, introduces the Innovation Fund, a platform committed to integrating Bitcoin ecosystem products. This initiative aims to address user needs in exchanging, managing, and investing in Bitcoin-based projects.
OrangeX invites collaboration from institutions, communities, and projects to join forces in propelling the growth and diversification of the Bitcoin ecosystem. Together, let’s forge a future where Bitcoin is more accessible, versatile, and inclusive – ensuring its enduring significance in the ever-evolving landscape of blockchain-based finance.
About OrangeX
Founded in 2021 in Seychelles, OrangeX stands as a worldwide cryptocurrency trading platform renowned for its cutting-edge technology, proficient team, and seasoned financial knowledge. With more than 1 million active users, OrangeX has built a comprehensive product line, dedicated to empowering investors to make a better future. OrangeX futures trading offers 3 service options: USDT-M Perpetual Contracts, One-Click Copy Trading and Powerful API. According to Coinmarketcap(CMC) and CoinGecko, OrangeX Spot now supports over 100 coins with approximately 130 trading pairs.
For more information, please visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | CoinMarketCap | CoinGecko
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/orangex-unveils-5m-innovation-fund-accelerating-support-for-bitcoin-ecosystem-growth-302010284.html
SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — On December 8, the 2023 Shenzhen Global Investment Promotion Conference was held in Shenzhen, China. Over 380 projects were signed, with a total investment of 1 trillion yuan. The event was attended by more than 1,000 distinguished guests from countries and regions including the United States, Japan, and the EU.
Shenzhen, an open city, is extending invitations to global investors. Under the theme of “Create New Paradigms, Embrace Shared Opportunities — Invest in Shenzhen, Build a Winning Future”, the Conference took place in the format of “1+1+12+N” events, according to the Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality. Specifically, it consists of one main event, namely the Investment Promotion Conference and the Shenzhen City Summary Meeting on Investment Promotion; one Investment Outcome Exhibition Area; 12 district-level investment promotion conferences; and several overseas parallel sessions and industrial investment promotion activities. Ten overseas parallel sessions were staged in Madrid, Zurich, Hawaii, Vancouver, San Diego, Brisbane, Chicago, Tokyo, Sydney, and Milan. 12 industry investment promotion activities were held on various topics, including energy storage, digital energy, finance, consumption, talent attraction, and high-tech industries.
A favorable business environment serves as the best “Chinese parasol tree”, the greatest “magnet”, and the core competitiveness of a city. The Conference showcased investment opportunities and policies for investing in Shenzhen as well as presented Shenzhen’s first-class business environment to the world. Shenzhen has ranked among the top in China’s business environment evaluations for all 18 indicators. With a flourishing private economy, Shenzhen boasts a total of 4.16 million registered business entities and ranks first nationwide for the total quantity and density of entrepreneurship.
The excellent business environment has made Shenzhen a popular land for international investment, and multinational companies maintain promising prospects for investment in the city. Thomas Triomphe, Global Executive President of Sanofi Pasteur, expressed confidence in the tremendous potential Shenzhen holds for the future. “This is an incredible city. The technological and economic development in Shenzhen has been impressive over the past few years,” said David Kohler, Chairman and CEO of Kohler Group.
This year, the Conference set up the Investment Outcome Exhibition Area for the first time to present the investment outcomes and development plans of the districts and departments of the city in recent years. An area was also set up for an exhibition on local renowned brands to display products in advanced manufacturing, consumer electronics, trendy lifestyles, and the new-style tea industry.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-2023-global-investment-promotion-conference-held-in-shenzhen-china-302010240.html
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