Hilton Hotels Corporation has signed three major alliances in the UK, Russia and Central America/Caribbean in a bid to open 55 hotels across the regions within the next five years.
”These critical alliances will reinforce our position as the premier global hotel company and underscore our strategy to sign larger deals to develop a significant number of hotels in key growth markets around the world,” said Hilton president and COO, Matthew Hart.
”We are committed to achieving our stated goal of adding 1,000 hotels outside North America during the next ten years,” he added. Other key markets for the company outside the US include China and India, where the group intends to further its presence by 100 hotels in the next five to seven years.
Shiva Hotels is the first major property company in the UK & Ireland to enter into a preferred development alliance with Hilton. The agreement is expected to result in a minimum of 15 additional hotels in the region during the next five years, spread between the Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton brands.
Four sites are currently under construction and will form part of the five-year target: a 350-room Hilton near Heathrow T5; a 200-room Hilton and 120-room Hampton by Hilton in Leeds; and a 120-room Hampton by Hilton in Derby.
”The UK & Ireland is a very important market for Hilton, given the strength of the economy and our already strong presence with 75 properties,” said Hilton internal operations CEO, Ian Carter.
The new alliance partner in Russia, London & Regional Properties, will help extend the Hilton portfolio in the country by 25 properties throughout an initial period of five years. These hotels will encompass a variety of Hilton brands, including Conrad, Hilton, Doubletree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton.
”The Hilton name is a powerfully strong brand and Russia offers tremendous potential as there are 11 major cities each with a population of more than one million people,” said London & Regional”s Ian Livingston. ”With the multi-brand approach that Hilton now has, the company is able to offer solutions in all travel sectors.”
An additional 15 properties are to be developed in Central America and the Caribbean, with New York-based development partner Caribbean Property Group (CPG). Key destinations include Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad.
”The region is ripe for focussed service hotel development,” said CPG vice chairman, Barry Breeman. ”The economies have strengthened in the region during the past five years and today there is a good base of first-class, full-service hotels and resorts, but a very limited number of mid-market, focussed service hotels, especially in the premium branded sector.”