Having more than tripled its presence in China over the last few years and with many more hotels in the pipeline, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International has announced the appointment of Gao Zhi Xiong as vice president, development, China.

In his new role, Gao will be responsible for accelerating portfolio growth across all three of FRHI’s leading brands, while also providing support, guidance and leadership to the company’s existing developments in Chengdu, Nanjing, and Taiyuan.

“Currently, China is the world’s most active market for hotel development and commercial real estate projects and there is a tremendous opportunity for FRHI to grow its distribution in this part of the world,” said James Kaplan, senior vice president, development, Asia Pacific & India.

“Adding someone like Gao, with his development experience and market knowledge, represents a significant boost to our development resources and will help us build on a foundation that already includes high-profile hotels such as Shanghai’s Fairmont Peace Hotel, Raffles Beijing, and Swissôtel Foshan.”

FRHI is the parent company of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

Gao joins FRHI from Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, where he held the roles of director of development and then vice president of development, China. 

With more than 25 years of hospitality related experience, Gao has also held operations and senior-level positions with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts; Resort Horizon, Sanya, Hainan Island; Conifer Eastern, Hotel, Hangzhou; Conifer Hua Long Resort Shao Shan;  and Conifer Garden Hotel Haikou.