China: Hoteliers look to China as economy and consumer spending remain strong.

Section: Business News - Despite the global credit crisis, at least two global hotel chains have stated that they are intending to expand in China, even as hoteliers are feeling the strain elsewhere. Actis, a private-equity investor in emerging markets, has pumped USD65 million into the 7 Days Inn Group, a Guangzhou-based budget-hotel operator. Warburg Pincus, another private-equity firm, is co-investing in this deal, but has not disclosed details.

The French hotel operator, Accor Group, remains on track to triple their hotels in China, Hong Kong and Macao to 180 hotels by 2010, a plan they announced last year. Also, InterContinental Hotels Group has stated that they …