Development of the hotel industry in China: Mega-events, opportunities, and challenges

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges to the successful development of the hotel industry in the People Republic of China and to address the opportunities that hosting mega-events provides. In particular, the roles of mega events (Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, World Expo 2010 Shanghai, and Guangzhou Asian Games 2010) in the development of the hotel industry are reviewed. Accordingly, this study, first, briefly reviews the development of the hotel industry prior to the mega events. Second, constraints, challenges, and opportunities for the development of the hotel industry are discussed. Finally, major problems are identified and recommendations for the outlined major problems are provided to the government authorities and to the investors with the goal of enhancing the sustainable improvement of the hotel industry in China.