Swiss embraces potential of Xi'an's culture and tourism

Patrick Weder, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, has been working in the city for seven years.

Hailing from Switzerland, he fell in love with the city after a chance encounter and has since been dedicated himself to working in the city's hotel industry.

Patrick is fluent in five languages, and has over twenty years of experience in the hotel industry. Since 2001, he has held several managerial positions in Ritz-Carlton hotels across various countries.

In the summer of 2006, Patrick, an avid traveler, visited Xi'an for the first time and was captivated by the city's ancient history and diverse culinary offerings. "Xi'an is a not-to-be-missed tourist destination and a paradise for culture and food enthusiasts," he reminisced.

In 2018, Patrick relocated to Xi'an to work. Witnessing the city's remarkable development, he expressed his amazement, stating, "The city's environment has improved, with more convenient transportation, a stronger modern technological atmosphere, and it is more international." Patrick noted that witnessing Xi'an's tremendous changes has further fueled his admiration for the city.

During his years in Xi'an, Patrick has been contemplating how the hotel industry can integrate surrounding cultural resources to meet the increasingly diverse and personalized needs of guests.

Patrick has been focusing on "the spiritual needs of travelers", aiming to help guests to experience Xi'an's profound blend of history and modernity within the hotel premises.

"Xi'an boasts a rich history and profound cultural heritage, and we have put considerable efforts into integrating local cultural features into the hotel's interior decoration and services, offering guests a fresh and unique staying experience," Patrick said.

The hotel features numerous art pieces that subtly incorporate elements of Xi'an, including transparent wall dividers shaped like the Qinling Mountain range, the hotel's mascot lion adorned in terracotta warrior armor, and uniquely shaped pomegranate ornaments in the guest rooms. Additionally, the hotel provides Xi'an-themed tea and pastries to guests according to the season.

Patrick said that the city's profound cultural heritage has provided him with continuous inspiration and an increasing number of career opportunities.

Regarding his next steps, Patrick expressed his commitment to meeting the consumption needs of travelers. He hopes to enrich personalized leisure and entertainment projects and enhance guest satisfaction, thereby providing strong support for the development of the tourism industry in Xi'an.