Hilton says Mideast is a key development market

Dubai: Hilton Hotels will double the size of its Middle East business in the next five years, according to the area president of the company's newly-formed Middle East and Africa division.

At least 20 new hotel signings are anticipated between now and 2012, in addition to an already-signed pipeline of 11 properties in the Middle East. The company currently runs 44 hotels in the Middle East and Africa region.

Jean-Paul Herzog, area president for the Dubai-based Middle East and North Africa division, said regional hotel openings will account for roughly 5-10 per cent of the total 1,000 new international hotels Hilton plans to open in the next ten years.

"The Middle East is one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the world and is a key development market for Hilton Hotels," said Herzog.

Herzog said the Hilton hotel brand will account for the majority of new openings, but said there is demand for the company's other brands, which include the luxury Conrad hotels and mid-market DoubleTree, Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn.

Regional access to the full range of Hilton brands follows the integration last year of Hilton Hotels Corporation with Hilton International.

"The new organisation structure and direction gives us clear advantages in terms of closeness to the marketplace along with local expertise and understanding," said Herzog.

Hilton's current regional activity includes the opening this week of the first phase of the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa, its second property in the emirate. The development features 151 deluxe villa suites, while the final phase of an additional 330 rooms will open in fourth quarter 2008.

Other scheduled openings include the 44-storey Hilton Jumeirah Beach Residence, with 371 rooms and apartments - Hilton's first residential offering in Dubai, scheduled to open in January 2008.