(Yicai) Nov. 7 -- The China International Import Expo, which is being held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10, is attracting a large number of international travelers and hotel bookings in the city have soared 80 percent compared to last year, according to data from travel platform Qunar.

There are a large number of people from overseas visiting the CIIE and inbound travel bookings have jumped 30 percent over the period, according to statistics from online travel agency Trip.com.

Several international hotel giants, which have plans to expand their footprint in China, are attending the CIIE.

Marriott International will increase its sustainability initiatives in China in the future, said the US hotel chain, which has participated in the CIIE for seven consecutive years.

The Bethesda-based firm signed a record number of new projects in the first nine months, amounting to more than 100 projects with over 20,000 rooms. Marriott plans to open more than 30 new luxury brand hotels in the country by the end of 2025, it said.

InterContinental Hotels Group has returned for the seventh straight year. The UK hotel chain, which already runs a number of hotel chains in China, plans to introduce a new hotel brand this month to broaden its customer base.

H World Group made its debut at the CIIE this year. The Shanghai-based company acquired Deutsche Hospitality recently, and its hotel operations now extend across Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.

H World is introducing overseas hotel chains such as Steigenberger Hotel into the Chinese market and entered into talks with several potential business partners at the CIIE.

There were 15 H World-operated Steigenberger and Steigenberger Icons hotels in China as of June 30, with six more hotels set to open soon. The Frankfurt-based brand runs 63 hotels worldwide.

Editor: Kim Taylor