Hilton Achieves Landmark Performance in Asia Pacific in 2017

Date: January 2018

Location: Asia Pacific

What: In 2017 Hilton achieved landmark growth and expansion in Asia Pacific, while introducing industry-leading guest innovations and being recognised as one of Asia’s best multinational workplaces.

Having recently appointed Alan Watts as its new Executive Vice President & President, Asia Pacific and Qian Jin as the first Area President for Greater China & Mongolia, the company is looking ahead to an even bigger year in 2018.

Hilton Hangzhou Qiandao Lake Resort

How Many: 2017 saw the opening of more than 40 hotels, including the 100th hotel in China and the 200th hotel in Asia Pacific, plus the introduction of the Curio Collection by Hilton brand in China and Australia.

The company’s strong workplace culture, which includes the launch last year of Thrive@Hilton, was rewarded by Great Place to Work awards in key countries and Asia-wide.

Meanwhile, having welcomed more than 10 million guests throughout the year, 2017 saw the roll-out of the revolutionary Digital Key, continuing the company’s legacy of guest innovation in the industry.

APAC Growth Highlights: Expanded Hilton’s footprint throughout the region with more than 40 hotel openings, driving strong growth across the portfolio of 14 brands, including the launch of Conrad Osaka, Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon and Hilton Mandalay.

Opened the 100th hotel in China, Hilton Quanzhou Riverside, and the 200th hotel in Asia Pacific, Waldorf Astoria Chengdu.

With 220 hotels in operation by year-end and 415 hotels in the pipeline, Hilton is one of the fastest-growing global hospitality companies in Asia Pacific, with nearly one-quarter of rooms under construction carrying a Hilton flag.

Signed 164 deals, spanning 30,000 rooms, with highlights including the first Canopy by Hilton in the region, a landmark portfolio deal comprising six hotels in Sri Lanka, four significant approvals in Vietnam and more than 100 deals in China including the company’s return to Taiwan with Hilton Taipei.

More than 48,000 Team Members in Asia Pacific across Hilton’s corporate offices and portfolio of owned/leased, managed and franchised hotels.

In 2018, Hilton is set to continue its rapid expansion, including the opening of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, marking the luxury brand’s arrival in South East Asia. Already this year the company has opened its second luxury property in India, Conrad Bengaluru. Having enhanced its leadership team in China in 2017, the company has also recently appointed Navjit Ahluwalia as Senior Vice President and Country Head, India.

THPT Comment: I guess you can’t accuse Hilton of hanging around! Where Marriott have grown to 30+ brands by acquisition, Hilton are now (2018) over 5,000 hotels, 15 brands, 838,000 rooms in 103 countries.

First Seen: eHotelier