Apr. 16, 2008 (China Knowledge) - U.S. luxury hotel operator Wyndham Hotel Group will open its first luxury Wyndham hotel in China later this year, according to company president and CEO Steven A. Rudnitsky.

The first 600-room Wyndham hotel, the most luxurious brand under the group, will be built in Xiamen. Meanwhile, the group also plans to extend its presence in gateway cities like Beijing and Shanghai, according to Rudnitsky.

Wyndham currently operates more than 120 properties under four brands across China, including roughly 15 Howard Johnson, 30 Ramada, 20 Days Inn and 60 Super 8 hotels. Its footprint has been expanded to more than 20 cities nationwide through both franchising and management contracts.

The company said its business would continue to grow at a double-digit rate in China over the next few years. Its China portfolio exceeded 120 last year, according to company officials.