Hilton to Open Seven New Properties in Central, South America

Hilton to Open Seven New Properties in Central, South America

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.

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.

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 Panamera, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, set to debut in May 2011, and the Hilton Garden Inn Santiago, to open in March 2011.

Other properties soon to open include Doubletree By Hilton, Panama City, Panama, scheduled to open in late 2010; Hilton Bogota, Colombia, scheduled to open in March 2011; Hilton Panama, Panama, scheduled to open in June 2011; Hilton Iguazu Resort, Argentina, scheduled to open in June 2011; Hilton Ushuaia, Argentina, scheduled to open in late 2011; and Hilton Lima Miraflores, Peru, scheduled to open in early 2012.

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 the first quarter of 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.

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.