Coral by Hilton´s Numbers on the Rise

Hilton International signed a franchise agreement with Coral Hotels & Resorts, resulting in the Coral by Hilton all-inclusive brand.

Four Coral-managed properties on the tourism-driven Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic were flagged at the end of March 2003.

Sales through Hilton channels, however, had begun as early as February, and by the end of 2003, that alone accounted for 1.2 percent of Coral by Hilton´s total business.

Since then, the numbers have continued to grow. By the end of 2004, sales had nearly tripled to 3.1 percent, and by the end of 2005 had doubled to 6 percent of their business.

With 730,000 available room nights in a year, these figures represent a very significant number. Indeed, the increase amounts to a 187 percent rise in the 2003-2004 period, and a 78 percent increase in sales from 2004-2005.

The branding alliance also resulted in a rise in U.S. business in general. In the first year, Coral by Hilton recorded a 46 percent increase in U.S. tour and travel. It´s a positive trend that has continued to exhibit itself, as the company posted a 38 percent increase in 2005.