Australian-owned hotel management company StayWell Hospitality Group has expanded its global footprint in a partnership with Manhatton Hotel Group.

The duo have signed a deal designed to spearhead the growth of Park Regis and Leisure Inn hotel brands in mainland China.

StayWell Hospitality Group managing director, Simon Wan, said that entering into this master licensing agreement will have a target of securing an additional sixty hotels in the region within the next 36 months, with thirty hotels opened by 2020.

Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu are regarded as the primary target markets.

It is expected that in the next 18 months, Manhatton will secure three hotel management projects in Chinese first-tier cities.

“StayWell is a global hotel company with 36 properties across the world, this partnership will not only expand our offering in China but also provide opportunity for StayWell and its brands Park Regis and Leisure Inn to capitalise and also embrace the highly regarded position international hotel brands have in the Chinese market,” said Wan.

The Manhatton Hotel Management partnership agreement follows the formation of a number of international partnerships including Asian based Hospitality Management Solutions, which has a stronghold in both Vietnam and Thailand as well as a United Kingdom based-partnership with renowned hospitality company Fiveways Hospitality.

“Forming these partnerships with trusted and well-known hotelier groups with experience in their local markets is pivotal in bringing our international expansion plan of 100 hotels across the globe by 2020 to life,” Wan said.

Manhatton Hotel Group president, Ji Deng, is eager to be part of StayWell Hospitality Group’s expansion plans and be the first to introduce the Park Regis and Leisure Inn brands within China.

“At present, the Chinese hotel industry is experiencing a change in consumer expectations, where customers now seeking globalised accommodation options,” said Deng.

“We are eager to combine StayWell’s established brand name with Manhatton’s local industry resources and operations experience, to bring the Park Regis and Leisure Inn brands to Chinese consumers.

“Manhatton currently operates our own high-end business and leisure hotel brand Grand View and look forward to the opportunity of establishing two new brands within the market with positive result,” he concluded.