Fired up about new market of fine cigars
Beijing is witnessing a surge in cigar clubs as expatriate and Chinese entrepreneurs choose to do business over a fat Cuban. As the city holds its breath for a smoking ban, the market for the slim stogies is igniting with a number of private clubs and high-end hotels now offering luxury cigars. “It’s all part of China’s new luxury lifestyles – nice cars, nice wines, and, of course, nice cigars, have become a big thing in Beijing,” said David Wilson, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton and the Davidoff cigar lounge.
According to a recent industry report, more than 2.2 billion yuan is spent on cigars in China each year, though of the 333 million cigars purchased, 200 million, more than 60 percent, are on the “low-quality” end of the spectrum.
But the Davidoff is among a league of opulent smoking lounges pandering to the city’s elite ranks and pushing to spread the capital’s curiosity for fine cigars.
Edward Jin, vice-general manager of the Cigar Ambassador, a Shanghai-based lounge, which expanded its operations to Beijing two years ago, said he has seen China’s cigar scene explode during the past half decade.
“Eight years ago when we got into this business, there was only a small group of cigar lovers, now we have over 20,000 members in our club,” Jin said.
From news.xinhuanet.com.