.shangrila

Status:	Proposed
Registry Provider:	Verisign
Type:	Brand TLD
Priority #:	398 - Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited
More information:

.shangrila is a Brand TLD being proposed in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant is Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited.

The application was issued a GAC Early Warning by China. The warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the ICANN Board that a given TLD application should be denied as it stands. Applicants are encouraged to work with objecting GAC members.

The warning states that string refers to a Chinese county, and as such is a Geo TLD and requires government support. The Chinese government does not support the application.

Application Details

The following is excerpted from the applicant's response to question #18:

"The new .shangrila gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited (Shangri-La International) can create and control domain spaces within .shangrila that promote the identity and authenticity of its brand. In this regard, .shangrila will be used by Shangri-La International to provide information, services and resources regarding Shangri-La hotels and resorts to consumers in a way that promotes trust, confidence and convenience. The .shangrila gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for Shangri-La International, its affiliates and partners that are associated with the Shangri-La brand. Second and third level domains can then be utilised for localised booking services and communication and marketing purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.

Shangri-La International, trading as Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, is a global group that owns, operates and⁄or manages 57 five-star Shangri-La hotels and resorts in 17 countries across the world. This is due to expand to 84 hotels in 21 countries in the near future. Shangri-La International, established in 1984, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Asia Limited (Shangri-La Asia). Shangri-La Asia, listed on the Hong Kong and Singapore Stock Exchanges and traded as American Depositary Receipts (ADR) in the US, had 2010 revenue of nearly USD1.6 billion and a market capitalisation of about USD42 billion. Shangri-La Asia has over 33,000 employees and around 30,000 guest rooms. Shangri-La International has won numerous awards and is consistently recognised as an industry leader by prestigious publications around the world. This includes recently winning 8 awards and being voted “Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific” in the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific magazine 2011 readers’ poll for the 11th consecutive year. In this regard, consumer trust, continuous innovation and protection of the Shangri-La brand are paramount considerations in all its activities. The .shangrila will promote the Shangri-La brand and maintain Shangri-La International’s strong online presence. These objectives will be further complemented by Shangri-La International’s gTLD application for the Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) “shangrila” in Chinese language.

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Only affiliate entities of Shangri-La International will be eligible to register domain names in .shangrila at this stage. The domain name registration processes will address the requirements mandated by ICANN, including rights abuse prevention measures."

Top-Level Domain

Governmental Advisory Committee. Considers and provides advice on the activities of ICANN as they relate to concerns of governments, particularly matters where there may be an interaction between ICANN's policies and various laws and international agreements or where they may affect public policy issues (ICANN Bylaws).

Internationalized Domain Name