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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider SM Prime returns to its roots with new ₱4-billion luxury hotel in Fujian province

SM Prime returns to its roots with new ₱4-billion luxury hotel in Fujian province

Published Jul 16, 2026 09:28 am
XIAMEN, China — SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, has opened a ₱4.1 billion hotel in China’s southern Fujian province, its first hospitality venture on the mainland as the company consolidates its focus on its late founder's home region.
The company stated that the debut of this upscale, 325-room hotel aligns with China’s accelerating regional tourism push fueled by rising inbound arrivals, emerging travel trends, and a newly approved five-year tourism development plan from the State Council.
Offering exceptional connectivity for both international business travelers and leisure tourists, voco Xiamen SM City provides direct access to the SM Xiamen mall complex. It is located adjacent to the Wushipu Station on Metro Line 1 and is a convenient 15-minute drive from both the Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and the Xiamen Railway Station.
Fujian is the birthplace of SM founder Henry Sy Sr.
SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said that it represents a major milestone for the company’s footprint in China.
“voco Xiamen SM City is our first hotel in China, and it connects directly to SM City Xiamen—the very first property we opened in the country 25 years ago,” Lim said.
“With this investment, we are turning the complex into a complete lifestyle destination for tourists. As a major coastal city in Fujian Province, Xiamen is home to the world's 15th-largest container port and serves as one of China’s four major international shipping centers,” he added.
Xiamen is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites and Michelin-starred restaurants. This rich cultural profile positions the city to capture the growing demand for “micro-vacations” and culinary tourism, particularly among Gen Z and millennial travelers.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2026 Economic Impact Research report, China is on track to become the world’s largest overall tourism market. The country’s travel sector is projected to expand from $1.8 trillion last year to $3.5 trillion by 2036.
This robust growth outlook is strongly backed by government policy. Earlier this month, China’s State Council approved a five-year plan to bolster the tourism industry through 2030, focusing on upgrading hospitality services, diversifying product offerings, boosting domestic consumption, and deepening international tourism partnerships.
Developed in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, voco Xiamen SM City is the first voco-branded hotel in Fujian Province. The collaboration brings voco’s signature "Thoughtful, Unstuffy, and Charming" brand identity to life, completing a comprehensive "one-stop" ecosystem on central Xiamen Island that seamlessly integrates retail, dining, offices, and upscale accommodation.
Beyond its prime location—which offers swift transit links to Gulangyu Island, the scenic Island Ring Road, the International Conference & Exhibition Center, and the Wuyuan Bay CBD—the hotel is designed to cater to diverse traveler needs. Accommodations feature child-friendly rooms and tailored family amenities alongside a suite of modern, fully equipped meeting spaces supported by professional event services.

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SM Prime Holdings Inc. Jeffrey C. Lim Xiamen SM City
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