Hilton Worldwide Celebrates Opening of 302 Hotels in 2009

Hilton Worldwide announced that 2009 was the second best year in terms of hotel development in its 91-year history. In 2009, despite major challenges for the hospitality industry overall, Hilton Worldwide added 302 new hotels and more than 45,000 rooms to a total count that is now more than 3,500 hotels and 585,000 rooms. In 2008, Hilton Worldwide opened 327 properties.

For the fourth consecutive year, Hilton Worldwide opened more newly constructed guest rooms in the U.S. than any other company. Additionally, Hilton Worldwide’s pipeline includes more than 900 hotels with more than 129,000 rooms scheduled to open.

Among many other highlights in 2009, Hilton Worldwide signed or approved 281 hotel deals with more than 46,000 rooms; moved into first place in terms of open and operating rooms in the U.S.; and maximized opportunities globally, with 37 percent of its pipeline of rooms now outside the U.S., compared to 15 percent only two years ago. Additionally, in 2009, 50 percent of room construction starts occurred outside the U.S. versus 17 percent two years ago.

Hilton also increased both its market share and customer satisfaction ratings in each of its 10 brands; expanded its luxury portfolio by more than 100 percent within the U.S. and nearly 50 percent outside the U.S.; launched a new mid-tier extended-stay brand, Home2 Suites by Hilton, and approved 53 hotels for development as well as broke ground on the first property in the U.S.; and unveiled its new name and corporate logo that better reflect the global company it is today and will continue to be in the future.