Emerging from a two-day strategy meeting last week at his Singapore-based office, Hilton International�s President for Asia Pacific, Mr Koos Klein, confirmed that plans for another 14 properties, including 11 new hotels and 3 reflags, are forging ahead. There are currently 36 Hilton International Hotels operating in the Asia Pacific region.  �Our mission is to have a Hilton presence in every destination our customers want to be in, and SARS or war has not changed this. These are cautious times, but we are forging ahead with developments that will position the company for recovery.� �Two new flagship hotels scheduled to open in the second half of 2004 include the 580-room Hilton Sydney, which is being

In October 2002, the Sydney Hilton closed down for 18 months for refurbishment of the tower and interiors.

Hilton will also continue to expand its leisure offerings in the Asia Pacific as part of its strategy to establish a network of resorts that comprise 20 percent of all Hilton properties by 2010.

�We are investing a lot of resources to develop our Hilton Worldwide Resorts portfolio, with plans confirmed for seven new Hilton Resorts in the South Pacific region. These are located in some of the world�s most exotic locations and will benefit from long-term growth in tourism.�

Hilton International, an operating division of UK-based Hilton Group plc, operates more than 400 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties in over 70 countries worldwide.  With more than 65,000 associates ready to serve the world�s travellers, Hilton International�s portfolio includes 250 Hilton hotels and resorts around the world (excluding the U.S., Canada and Mexico); Conrad, a luxury hotel brand in some of the world�s most exclusive destinations; and the highly regarded Scandic mid-market hotel product. 

A global marketing alliance between Hilton International and North American-based Hilton Hotels Corporation extends the number of hotels owned, operated and/or franchised by both companies to more than 2,400 properties across nine well-respected hotel products.

 Leslie McGibbon
Hilton International Co
Tel: + 44 20 7856 8293 (LONDON)
[email protected]

www.hiltongroup.com