SM turns Xiamen complex into lifestyle destination

XIAMEN CITY — SM Prime Holdings Inc. is expanding its portfolio in Xiamen City amid China’s tourism push.

The integrated property developer has created a lifestyle destination in its SM Xiamen complex, fueled by China’s rising inbound arrivals, emerging travel trends and a new five-year tourism development plan approved by the State Council.

Citing data from the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 2026 Economic Impact Research report, SM Prime said China is emerging as the world’s largest overall tourism market, with its travel sector projected to grow to $3.5 trillion by 2036 from $1.8 trillion last year.

Earlier this month, China’s State Council approved a five-year plan to strengthen its tourism industry through 2030, with focus on improving tourism services, expanding product supply, unlocking consumption potential and deepening international cooperation.

As China accelerates its tourism push, SM Prime opened voco Xiamen SM City last month, a 325-room upscale hotel with direct access to SM Xiamen.

As the first voco hotel in Fujian Province, the launch completes the one-stop ecosystem of the SM City complex in central Xiamen Island, seamlessly integrating shopping, dining, entertainment, office space and accommodation.

Located steps from Wushipu Station on Metro Line 1 and about 15 minutes from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and Xiamen Railway Station, the more than P4-billion hotel offers strong accessibility for overseas business travelers and local tourists.

SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said the hotel marks an important milestone in the company’s China portfolio.

“The voco Xiamen SM City is our first hotel in China, and it connects directly to SM City Xiamen, the first property we opened in the country 25 years ago,” Lim said.

”With this investment, we are turning the complex into a complete lifestyle destination for tourists,” he said.

The SM Xiamen complex now hosts SM malls, offices and a hotel, which is in partnership with the InterContinental Hotels Group.

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.