Feb. 22, 2005 – Award winning Hilton Worldwide Resorts has launched its 2005 portfolio, which includes 13 additional properties, bringing the current number of resorts to 59 in 24 countries.
The upscale resort network has also announced further expansion with 14 new resorts, (over 3,000 rooms), planned to open around the world in the next two years.
The expanded 2005 portfolio and new resort openings will see Hilton Worldwide Resorts double from just 36 resorts at its launch in 2002 to 73 resorts by 2007.
Ian Carter, Chief Executive, Hilton International comments, "The expansion of the resort portfolio reflects the increase in leisure business and demand for our resort product. We will continue to explore opportunities to develop Hilton Worldwide Resorts and to offer guests an unrivalled global collection of upscale holiday destinations."
New to the 2005 portfolio are eight Hilton Hotels Corporation resorts in the US, the Conrad Phuket Resort & Spa in Thailand and Hilton International resorts in Italy, Barbados, Egypt and the Philippines. Philippa Gould, Product Development Director, Hilton International, comments on the growth; "Hilton Worldwide Resorts has gone from strength to strength. The 2005 additional resorts, which are a mixture of existing Hilton properties and new openings, further enhance our far reaching global choice and provide even more wonderful spa, golf, romantic, family and diving holiday experiences for guests to sample.
"We are equally excited about the 14 new openings planned for the next two years. These include a line up of resorts in new, exotic places for Hilton such as Whistler, Evian, Portorosa, Venice, Seychelles, Fiji, Western Australia and a specialist Eco-Lodge in the Amazon Rainforest."
The expansion follows Hilton Worldwide Resorts' continued success. 2004 saw significant growth ahead of market, strong tour operator partnerships, increased on-line package bookings and high numbers of repeat guests. The portfolio also won the coveted 'Marketing Strategy of the Year Award' at the prestigious National Business Awards in the UK in November 2004.
Notes to Editors: Hilton Worldwide Resorts" is an upscale, global resort network with a collection of 59 resorts, located in exotic places, making up the world's largest global choice.
Currently, 37 resorts are operated by Hilton International, 19 by Hilton Hotels Corporation and three by Conrad.
The network spans 24 countries and seven regions including the Americas, Arabian Gulf, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Egypt, Europe and the Indian Ocean. New resort openings are planned in Canada, France, Seychelles, Fiji, America, Italy, Brazil, Thailand, China and Australia.
30 resorts are home to world-class spas
46 resorts are ideal for romantic holidays
32 resorts specialise in diving
26 resorts feature championship golf courses (with a choice of over 290 courses!)
51 resorts cater specifically for families
7 resorts offer all-inclusive holidays
Resorts set to open over the next two years include:
Hilton Whistler Resort, Canada (HHC)
Hilton Portorosa, Sicily (HI)
Hilton Evian Resort & Spa, France (HI)
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, USA (HHC)
Hilton Krabi Resort & Spa, Thailand (HI)
Hilton Venice, Italy (HI)
Hilton Amazon Eco-Lodge, Brazil (HI)
Hilton Seychelles, Indian Ocean (HI)
Hilton Margaret River Vineyard Resort & Spa, Australia (HI)
Hilton Denaru, Fiji (HI)
Hilton Sanya Resort & Spa, China (HI)
Hilton Ain Sokhna, Egypt (HI)
Hilton North Miami Beach Resort, Florida, USA (HHC)
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder Resort, New Mexico, USA (HHC)
Contact:
Jeanne Datz Rice
Hilton Hotels Corporation Communications
Phone: +1 310 205-4545
Email: jeanne_datz@hilton.com
