The hotel plans to serve more of exhibitions, meetings and trade fairs.

Competition is heating up in Guangzhou with more international hotels opening, but demand for world-class hospitality is also growing, William Chea, general manager of the Westin Pazhou in Guangzhou, said during a recent interview with China Daily.

"Due to its proximity to Hong Kong, Guangzhou has experienced rapid economic growth as the transportation, industry, finance and trade hub for South China," Chea said.

"It has a thriving automobile industry and the port is vital to industries located in neighboring provinces.

"The Canton Fair held in spring and autumn every year since 1957 is the largest trade fair in China," he said. "We expect more business from the convention and exhibition segment.

"With government support to build Guangzhou into a top convention and exhibition city, the segment will grow rapidly."

The Westin Pazhou opened in September next to the Guangzhou International Convention & Exhibition Center.

"We expect healthy growth in trade fairs, and as the only hotel directly connected to the convention center, Westin Pazhou will be a beneficiary," the general manager said.

Chea added he anticipates more opportunities in the corporate and MICE - meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions - segments due to increased awareness of the city's hospitality industry and development of the Pazhou, Panyu and Nansha areas.

Owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, Westin Hotels & Resorts has more than 170 hotels and resorts in over 36 countries and regions. Starwood operates four hotels in Guangzhou and has another four in the pipeline.

The Westin Pazhou offers 325 rooms and suites equipped with large LED TVs, JBL iPod docks and high-speed Internet access.

The suites, which measure from 100 to 315 square meters, feature L'Occitane amenities, 46-inch LED TVs and Bose surround sound systems.

The hotel also has 10 meeting rooms covering a total of 3,000 square meters, a 1,200 square meter grand ballroom and six function rooms.

The Panorama room on the 42nd floor has 26 meter high, floor-to-ceiling windows that provide stunning views of the Pearl River and the Guangzhou city skyline.

"The hotel been open for just two months and it is amazing that we have hosted so many MICE and banquet events, some of them very high-profile such as the Guangdong Tourism Fair, the opening of the 110th Canton Fair and the China Green Innovation Fair," he said.

Chea added that hotel itself is innovative.

"To meet Starwood requirements, we have formed a green council in the hotel to implement a range of environmental sustainability initiatives in energy saving and recycling."

"Part of our company culture is care for the community. We encourage our associates to be actively involved in social activities," he added. "Some examples are a soccer competition in the Lion Charity event and blood donations. We will have more activities at a later stage."