Business | Tourism
Hilton looks at strategic locations for new management contracts
Firm will launch its brands with a customised plan for each market
- By Shakir Husain, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:36 May 7, 2008
Dubai: Hilton Hotels Corporation will remain focused on "strategic locations" for new hotel management contracts in the region, a senior official said.
Jean-Paul Herzog, Hilton president in the Middle East and Africa, said at any given time the company is engaged in some 70 discussions but expects only a few of them to lead to agreements.
Hilton earlier announced it would double the number of hotels in its portfolio to 68 in the two regions by 2012.
"Our plan is to have a sufficient number of hotels in strategic locations. What we aim to do is to grow geographically correctly," Herzog told Gulf News.
Openings
The scheduled openings in the Middle East and Africa include 16 Conrad and Hilton brand hotels. In the UAE, six hotels are under construction and will open by the end of 2010, creating about 2,000 rooms.
Hilton plans to launch each of its brands with a "customised development and marketing strategy" for each market in the region.
The luxury Conrad brand hotels will open in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 2010, each with 500 rooms.
The US-based chain is also hoping to introduce its Doubletree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn brands in the region.
Hilton will gain entry into the Qatari market when the 324-room Hilton Doha opens January 2009.
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