Hong Kong’s Peninsula Hotels sees ‘bleisure’ boom after pandemic curbs, CEO says

Hong Kong has welcomed a new wave of travellers combining business and leisure, who have revitalised the city’s luxury hotel sector, according to Benjamin Vuchot, the executive director and CEO of Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels (HSH), operator of The Peninsula Hotels.

“The opportunity is primarily driven by business trips, but it evolves into leisure as well,” Vuchot said in an interview with the Post on Wednesday. “That’s a very important trend from a growth perspective.”

He noted that what started as a two-day business meeting frequently transformed into a “bleisure” stay, with guests extending their trips or arriving with family to explore the city.

While “bleisure” is a global phenomenon, it has been particularly pronounced in Hong Kong and Shanghai. As visitors returned to Hong Kong after years of pandemic-related travel restrictions, “they want to stay longer – they want to reconnect with the city”, Vuchot said.

He highlighted an increase in international travellers, particularly from the Middle East, thanks to government efforts to strengthen business ties and attract investors from the region. “We are benefiting from those efforts,” said Vuchot, who took the helm on March 3, succeeding Clement Kwok King-man.

The iconic hospitality group reported an unaudited loss attributable to shareholders of HK$289 million (US$36.8 million) for the six months ending June 30, an improvement from a year-earlier loss of HK$448 million.