"As the biggest Spanish tourism group, our Global Company planned to invest in China's booming hotel industry," said Juan Jose Hidalgo, president and chairman of the company on Sunday.

He said that China's rapid economic development and increasing visit of business travelers, as well as the opportunity to host Olympics and the World Expo, already attracted attention of the world hotel industry.

So far, there are over 800 star-rated hotels in Beijing and the number will keep on rise. Global planned to manage 100-plus hotels in the world in three years, including some hotels in China.

The group aimed to provide customerized services for Spanish-speaking guests.

Hidalgo is also the president of Air Europa. His company opened the first direct flight between China and Spain on May 23. It now operates four flights from Spain to Beijing and Shanghai per week, and plans to increase flights next spring.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2005)