Jan 8, 2009
...The luxury hotel brand is boosting Four Seasons’ presence across Asia Pacific in 2009, with properties set to open in Pudong, Hangzhou and a resort in the Seychelles.

...In the current economic downturn there has been speculation by hoteliers that planned developments may be put on hold, but vice president sales and marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa, David Crowl, said this wouldn’t be the case with Four Seasons brand.

“The [financial] crisis hasn’t hit us yet, but as it relates to Four Seasons then our investors look at the investments in the long term,” he said.

“All the projects we have in the pipeline are still active and moving forward and will continue to do so.

“It would be foolish of me to say things are going to be as strong as in a bull market, but we’re committed to our long-term development and investment plan.”

The brand opened eight hotels in 2008, including the Four Seasons Hotel Macao and the Bora Bora Resort.