VIA GRAPHIC PLUS | Xiamen City, China — SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) is expanding its portfolio in Xiamen City as China accelerates its tourism push, backed by rising inbound arrivals, emerging travel trends, and a new five-year tourism development plan approved by the State Council.
In June, SM Prime opened voco Xiamen SM City, a 325-room upscale hotel with direct access to SM Xiamen. Located steps from Wushipu Station on Metro Line 1 and about 15 minutes from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and Xiamen Railway Station, the RMB 450-million hotel offers strong accessibility for overseas business travelers and local tourists.
SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said the hotel marks an important milestone in the company’s China portfolio.
“voco Xiamen SM City is our first hotel in China and it connects to SM City Xiamen, the first property we opened in the country 25 years ago,” explained Lim. “With this investment, we are turning the complex into a complete lifestyle destination for tourists.”
A major coastal city in Fujian Province, Xiamen is home to the world’s 15th-largest container port and is one of China’s four major international shipping centers. It also hosts several UNESCO heritage sites and Michelin-recognized restaurants, positioning the city to capture rising demand for micro-vacations and culinary experiences among Gen Z and millennial tourists.
China is emerging as the world’s largest overall tourism market, with its travel sector projected to grow from US$1.8 trillion last year to US$3.5 trillion by 2036, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 2026 Economic Impact Research report released on June 3.
The growth outlook is supported by policy direction. Earlier this month, China’s State Council approved a five-year plan to strengthen the tourism industry through 2030, with a focus on improving tourism services, expanding product supply, unlocking consumption potential, and deepening international cooperation.
 is expanding its portfolio in Xiamen City as China accelerates its tourism push, backed by rising inbound arrivals, emerging travel trends, and a new five-year tourism development plan approved by the State Council.){kind=link}