The 61-year-old Mandarin Oriental hotel in Central will undergo a US$100 million renovation demonstrating the company’s continued faith in Hong Kong as a premier tourism destination, the group’s chief executive has said, dismissing suggestions the city suffered from a negative image overseas.
In an exclusive interview with the Post, Laurent Kleitman, group chief executive of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, said a number of facilities would be revamped and offerings improved over the next 18 months, despite growing global economic tensions fuelled by the US-China trade war that could affect international travel to Hong Kong.
The company will simultaneously undertake a US$100 million facelift of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok.
Kleitman said Hong Kong remained an attractive gateway for business, cultural interactions and tourism, as reflected by a series of mega-events the city held last month, ranging from the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament and concerts at the new Kai Tak Stadium to art shows such as Art Basel.

As for the hotel, it remained an integral part of the city’s cultural dynamism, he added.