Dubai:
Hilton Worldwide saw the largest number of hotels in active development across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in 2012, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
It stated that for most of 2012, Hilton led the industry in terms of the number of MEA hospitality pipeline rooms in the “in construction” phase.
And the last 12 months saw Hilton Worldwide MEA approving 16 new deals across four of the five brands operating in the region. With 12,349 rooms in 35 properties in active construction, Hilton said it will “aggressively expand” its presence in the MEA region over the next two to three years.
The move comes close on the heels of Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the company’s flagship brand, entering Lebanon and Qatar last year with the openings of Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand, Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace, and Hilton Doha.
Additionally, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, the company’s luxury brand, opened its first hotel in South Africa with the introduction of Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa.
This year, meanwhile, will see the brand expanding with the launch of two luxury brands in the UAE with Conrad Dubai and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah as well as the introduction of the first Hilton Garden Inn into Qatar and a new market opening in the Dead Sea, Jordan for Hilton Hotels & Resorts.
Quoting the latest data from hotel consulting firm, STR Global, for December, Hilton said, it secured top position with 14.3 per cent of properties progressing towards completion.
Rudi Jagersbacher, President of Hilton Worldwide, MEA, said in a statement that a healthy and active pipeline will give the company a significant growth in the next few years. “The STR Global results reflect the steady realisation of our pipeline and underscores our commitment to delivering on our promises to our owners, guests and the local community alike,” he added.
Further, markets in the region that joined Hilton’s development portfolio last year include a dual signing in Morocco with Hilton Tanger City Centre Hotel & Residences and Hilton Garden Inn Tanger City Centre, a second pipeline property for Iraq with Hilton Erbil Hotel & Spa and two signings to introduce the DoubleTree brand into South Africa and the Seychelles Islands.
“We have been part of the MEA hospitality industry for 50 years now. With multiple openings and many more signings to look forward to, we aim to make 2013 a year for strengthening bonds with all our stakeholders while continuing to move ahead on our regional growth,” said Jagersbacher.
Globally, Hilton Worldwide’s brands comprise more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 650,000 rooms in 90 countries.
