Jane Goes for the Gold

Posted by Jane

China is in the spotlight this month, as it hosts the Summer Olympics. The scope, range and magnificence of this vast country were brought into focus during the Opening Ceremonies. Quite spectacular, in Jane's HO.

Also spectacular is the growth of the travel industry in China. Domestic travel in China generated $782 billion in 2007. And as the Chinese government continues to ease internal travel restrictions and extends vacation time for many of its 1.3 billion people, the market for domestic travel is going to grow at world record pace. In fact, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, China will sport the #2 tourism economy by the year 2017 (it's now #4). WTTC predicts the USA will still occupy the gold medal position at that time, but it probably won't be long until China steps to the top of the tourism podium.

Almost every American hotel brand has its eyes on the China prize. Many upscale hotels, designed for international travelers, opened the China competition in the 1990s. But in this new century, the economy sector is where it's at. The Chinese are traveling like crazy now, but most can't afford a $300–a–night hotel room.

In the eleven years since economy hotels were introduced in China, 1700 have fanned out across the country. Most of the economy brands are home–grown. But there is one notable non–Chinese entry near the top of the medal board. Wyndham Hotels has become the largest U.S.–based hotel franchising company in China, creating somewhat of a dynasty with its Super 8, Days Inn, Howard Johnson and Ramada brands.

Super 8 was the first foreign economy brand to medal in China, opening its premiere property in 2004. Jane wonders if Super 8 was chosen to come first because of numerology. As we've all been told numerous times by NBC, the decision to open the Olympic Games on 8–8–08 was due to the number's lucky significance in China. Well, Super 8 has certainly been lucky for Wyndham. Since coming to China a mere four years ago, the brand has 124 hotels open or under development in 60 cities across the country. Average room rate––less than $30 a night.

Speaking of lucky and low room rates, how about $8.88 for a Super 8 room in North America? You heard Jane, or rather read Jane, correctly. The $8.88 rate, which was the cost of a night's stay in 1974 when the first Super 8 hotel opened in South Dakota, is being awarded right now, every day, to 800 people. The special promotion began, you guessed it, on 8–8–08 and runs through 8–16–08. The $8.88 rate, which does not include fees and taxes, may be used to book rooms in the United States and Canada for stays through December 2008. Go to www.wyndhamworldwide.com to test your luck.