In 2018, Jumeirah Nanjing officially opened along the Yangtze River in Jianye District. The Nanjing debut of this elegant and luxury hotel added to the modern charm of the city.
Eric Kee, General Manager of Jumeirah Nanjing, has 29 years’ experience in hotel management. He served in senior roles with luxury hospitality brands in Malaysia, Greater China, and Japan. A multicultural globetrotter, Eric has a unique insight into the positioning of hospitality brands and the promotion within cities.
Eric was born in Pahang, the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia. His ancestors hailed from Fuzhou, Fujian. Since he graduated in Banquet and Hotel Management three decades ago, Eric has done remarkably well in hotel management and development.
A Malaysian citizen, Eric has to go through the tiresome visa process before he can work in a Chinese city. But things are much easier in Nanjing.
Eric has been to Beijing, Xiamen, Sanya, Hong Kong and Macao before, so it is no small surprise that Nanjing strikes him as exceptional. In fact, as the ancient capital of six dynasties, Nanjing’s hoary preeminence never fails to leave a deep imprint on anyone who lives and works there.
In Eric’s opinion, Nanjing is synonymous with efficiency. Even during the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, locals still managed to maintain the balance between work and life.
“Nanjing nurtures a wealth of cultural resources.” During his leisure hours, Eric will take his children to museums and parks, hoping they can reach beyond the textbooks and explore the rich local culture and history. One of their hangouts is Nanjing Women & Children Activity Center. People come here to learn STEM, traditional Chinese dance, and folk singing.
These cultural activities, Eric believes, are quite meaningful. They can not only help children make new friends, but also connect them with the local community, making Nanjing a place to call home.
Furthermore, Eric is keen to discover and experience Nanjing’s convenient transport system, wide entertainment choices, contoured commercial complexes, and diverse dining scene. He calls on clients and friends to visit Nanjing and take a stroll through Jianye’s museums, parks, and scenic spots.
Eric also has some original ideas about Nanjing’s internationalization. He believes Nanjing has the makings of an international hub, more than just a national one. Exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, etc. will fuel internationalization of the city. The government will surely act with good sense and propriety in this regard.
Speaking of Nanjing’s robust economy, Eric sincerely hopes the city can continue to improve its business environment. He firmly believes that Nanjing will have a brighter future.
