Conrad Shenyang adapts to operating in the wake of pandemic

Conrad Shenyang is implementing new cleanliness programs and increasing its online presence to address travelers' changing needs, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, said a top executive of the hotel.

Owned by Hang Lung Properties and managed by Hilton, the 315-room hotel is perched on the top floors of Forum 66 in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province.

One of the new programs being implemented is Hilton CleanStay, which is the latest evolution of the hotel's commitment to providing the peace of mind and confidence its guests need to travel freely, while protecting its staff members, said Erich Kaiserseder, general manager of Conrad Shenyang.

"We are relying mostly on graband-go items, a-la-carte service where appropriate, as well as contactless in-room dining experiences," said the Austrian national.

Conrad Shenyang is also following the group to introduce Hilton EventReady, a cleanliness and customer service program specific to meetings and events which will address safe group travel practices and evolve today's event experience, Kaiserseder said.

"Meetings and events are a big part of the day-to-day operations in Conrad Shenyang," he said. "We know event planners are even more mindful now about the minute aspects that impact the health and safety of the attendees."

Given that guests increasingly rely on online resources to choose travel destinations and products, Conrad Shenyang began to explore a series of online services.

"We put on a video series of chefs cooking to enhance hotel visibility and brand image. We joined the online wedding expo to drive the hotel's wedding business," he said.

Conrad Shenyang also joined some livestreams hosted by online travel agencies, where the hotel was able to sell hundreds of room nights in a single day, according to Kaiserseder.

Opened last year, Conrad Shenyang aims to be the luxury hotel of choice for modern, affluent global travelers and strives to create a seamless connection between contemporary design, leading innovation and curated art to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of these smart travelers, Kaiserseder said.

"We fuse art, design and technology to make the hotel a dynamic reflection of Shenyang and its culture, as well as a showcase for striking design and distinct surroundings."

As the head of a focus group on tourism with the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Kaiserseder said he is seeing promising momentum in the revitalization and development of Shenyang's business environment as well as its influence on surrounding areas.

"We can see that the government is taking measures to boost tourism and the focus group is aiming to support the government on those measures."