Shangri-La will consolidate all mainland China operational activities, in a new regional office in Shanghai on September 1, streamlining resources in response to the group's rapid China development.

Located in Tower One of Pudong Shangri-La, the new Shanghai regional office will include all departments dedicated to the group's existing 19 China properties as well as projects under development.

"Shanghai is an ideal city for us to establish a regional operations base," said Symon Bridle, Shangri-La's chief operating officer. "The city offers a sophisticated infrastructure, superb communications and a strategic location in China. Given our plan to have 35 hotels in China by 2008, it is extremely important for us to consolidate our resources to achieve greater synergy."

The Shanghai office will include Vice Presidents James Jin and Greg Dogan, reporting to Hong Kong-based Symon Bridle. Shanghai staff also includes China operations directors: Peter Wong, senior director of human resources; Andy Chan, director of corporate food and beverage; Andes Wu, director of engineering; Eileen Sun, director of corporate front office; Randy Ho, director of purchasing; Robert Fierz, director of projects; and William Chan, director of project management.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently manages 47 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders Hotels brands, in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates with a rooms inventory of over 21,000. In addition, the group has over 30 projects under development in Canada, mainland China, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Thailand and the United Kingdom. For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.