Raffles International has opened a global sales office in China to “further penetrate China’s huge potential outbound market.”

The office, which is situated in Shanghai, will be operated by Angela Zhou. As global sales manager, Zhou will be responsible for increasing outbound business from China to Raffles International Hotels worldwide.

According to the World Tourism Organisation, China’s outbound tourism is expected to grow from 10 million to 50 million people a year by 2010. Raffles International, which is the hotel management arm of Raffles Holdings, currently manages two hotels in China – Swissotel Beijing and Swissotel Dalian.

In Bangkok, Raffles International has assumed the management of Nai Lert Park from 1 January, having signed an agreement in June last year with Nai Lert Park Hotel Company Ltd. The 338-room Swissotel is located in the heart of Bangkok’s business area.

This latest addition brings the number of Swissotels worldwide to 25.

Details: +65 6430 1366