Hotel group Hilton intends to expand its 2,800 worldwide properties to more than 4,000 within 5 years. The expansion drive follows the reunification of the Hilton brands under one company earlier this year when Hilton in America bought out its UK counterpart, Hilton Group.
When the 2 were separate, the US business was not allowed to go outside North America with its other brands, including Doubletree, Hilton Garden Inns and Hampton Inns. These will now spearhead the global expansion.
Ian Carter, chief executive of Hilton International, said: ‘It’s very important for us to reach critical mass in countries where we are under-represented, such as France, Germany, eastern Europe, China, India and Australia.’ Britain will also be part of the growth. Carter expects to expand the number of the group’s UK hotels from 70 to 140 within 5 to 7 years. He is touring the world to decide which brands to roll out in which countries.
While Doubletree is an upmarket brand, Hilton Garden Inns is comparable to the mainstream Holiday Inns, and Hampton Inns is closer to the lower-priced Holiday Inns Express. Although they will carry the Hilton name, they will be more basic than the flagship chain, and have more mass-market appeal. Carry on reading…
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