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Hilton Worldwide confirmed at the South America Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference by HVS Buenos Aires (SAHIC 2010) in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, that the company’s plans to open seven hotels over the next year in South and Central America are on track and that the region continues to be a target market for growth. A testament to that is the upcoming opening of Hilton Bogota scheduled for March 2011, as well as six new hotel openings in the region that will be taking place over the next 12 months.
Bill Fortier, senior vice president, development The Americas, for Hilton Worldwide, commented: “As an emerging market, South America represents a great opportunity for the expansion of our platform and it is the perfect environment to introduce our portfolio of brands, which caters to the diverse and interesting array of business and leisure destinations in this fast-growing region.”
Hilton Worldwide’s strategic priority is to expand its platform and the company is focused on accelerating its growth internationally. The company currently has 59 hotels and resorts throughout the Caribbean and Latin America and has announced plans to add an additional 150 hotels and resorts over the next four years. With these efforts, Hilton Worldwide aims to quadruple its current presence in Latin America from 59 to more than 200 properties.
South and Central America
Hilton Worldwide’s South and Central America development teams are working diligently to increase the presence of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand and introduce Doubletree Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn, to the region’s gateway cities. The company’s target markets include Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama and Peru. Growth plans also include a number of secondary emerging cities and resort areas.
Hilton Worldwide plans on growing its footprint with new agreements and through new-build properties.
As of today, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand has four hotels under construction and Hilton Worldwide plans the introduction of two new brands in South and Central America. The Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Garden Inn brands will debut in the region with the opening of the majestic The Panamera, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel and the convenient Hilton Garden Inn Santiago.
- Doubletree By Hilton, Panama City, Panama scheduled to open late, 2010
- Hilton Garden Inn Santiago, Chile scheduled to open March, 2011
- Hilton Bogota, Colombia scheduled to March, 2011
- The Panamera, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Panama scheduled to open May, 2011
- Hilton Panama, Panama scheduled to open June, 2011
- Hilton Iguazu Resort, Argentina scheduled to open June, 2011
- Hilton Ushuaia, Argentina scheduled to open late 2011
- Hilton Lima Miraflores, Peru scheduled to open early 2012
Colombia
Colombia is a key destination for Hilton Worldwide. The country not only presents competitive advantages in various tourism indicators, but it has also experienced an increase in international flights. Hilton Worldwide recognizes that government representatives are working diligently to stimulate tourism.
In 2011, Hilton Worldwide will be returning, after 17 years, to the capital city of Bogota with the opening of Hilton Bogota. A new-built 245-guestroom hotel scheduled for completion in Q1, 2011. Hilton Worldwide already holds a strong presence in the country, with Hilton Cartagena and Embassy Suites Bogota-Rosales; in addition the company is in active discussions to introduce new brands to the market, including Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn and Doubletree.
Recent Openings
On August 10, 2010, the company opened the Embassy Suites by Hilton Valencia Downtown, a 203 all-suite hotel in Downtown Valencia, Venezuela.
Hilton Worldwide opened a great number of international properties during Q2, 2010 including the Doubletree by Hilton Kos-Helona in Greece, the Hilton Garden Inn Kutahya in Turkey, four new Hampton Hotels in the United Kingdom, and Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk in Japan.
Hilton Worldwide’s global development pipeline continues to be one of the strongest in the industry. With a dedicated South American development team, the emerging tourism destinations offered in the region and a portfolio of brands all of them offering unique features for specific market needs, Hilton Worldwide’s expansion in South America will continue its steady growth.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
