Hilton has achieved landmark performance in its milestone 100th year in 2019, with a record number of signings in Asia Pacific, industry-leading innovations and continued recognition as a Great Place to Work, amid ongoing celebrations in the most dynamic year of the global hospitality company’s storied history.
With 336 hotels in operation and 552 hotels in the pipeline, Hilton is one of the fastest-growing hospitality companies in Asia Pacific, with one in five rooms under construction in Asia Pacific carrying a Hilton flag — increasing to one in three in China. As part of its continuing growth journey, Hilton is looking ahead to an even bigger and more exciting year in 2020.
“2019 has truly been our most dynamic year yet, not just because of our centenary celebrations. We started the year with some challenging trading conditions, but our business model and market-leading brands have allowed us to remain resilient and see year-on-year performance growth,” said Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific at Hilton. “Asia Pacific remains at the forefront of the travel and tourism industry, with a growing middle class and increases in disposable income. With this in mind, we remain focused on becoming a home away from home for future generations of travelers, as the most hospitable company in the world.”
“Going into 2020 and the next 100 years, we continue to grow our footprint in Asia Pacific, while bringing the light and warmth of hospitality to life in every community we operate in by creating opportunities to enhance the guest experience and continue redefining the hospitality landscape,” he added.
APAC Growth & Performance Highlights: Effect on Economies
- Hilton’s footprint across the region with a record 70+ hotel openings, driving strong growth across the portfolio of eight brands in Asia Pacific, including the launch of SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Northbridge.
- Opened the 200th hotel in China with the debut of Canopy by Hilton Chengdu City Centre, and the 300th hotel in Asia Pacific with Hampton by Hilton Xi’an Beidajie.
- Signed over 200 deals, which include Hilton Sapporo Park, the entry of Canopy of Hilton in Thailand with Canopy by Hilton Bangkok Sukhumvit, as well as the entry of Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Asia Pacific.
- 2019 marked the fifth year of Hilton’s partnership with Plateno Hotels Group to rapidly launch and develop the Hampton by Hilton brand in China. In five years, the Hampton by Hilton brand in Greater China has become the fastest-growing singular brand in China, growing to 100 trading hotels, with almost 400 properties in the pipeline.
- In terms of brand value and brand equity, Hilton has globally outperformed competitors to be the most valuable hotel brand in the world. The flagship Hilton Hotels and Resorts brand is the world’s most valuable single hotel brand, while the three fastest-growing hotel brands — DoubleTree by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton and Homewood Suites — are in Hilton’s portfolio.
Industry-Leading Innovations: Effect on Guests
- Building on a history and legacy of innovation to define the hospitality experience, Hilton launched the Hilton Garden Inn (HGI) Accelerator in China. The HGI Accelerator is a prototype of the current HGI brand that has been adjusted to resonate with the local Chinese consumer in a regionally-relevant way but is still anchored on global brand standards like bright and airy spaces and “bright hearted” service standards. It also systematically delivers talents and professional training programs for owners. To date, 12 hotels have been signed on the back of the launch.
- Launched a series of WeChat Mini Programs which offer a complete journey of online services, including booking, hotel information and local exploration, payment, meal ordering, and social sharing, to improve the guest experience and travel efficiency. The Mini Apps on WeChat allow guests to book at all Hilton properties across Greater China and Mongolia, as well as more than 300 hotels in popular outbound destinations.
Great Place to Work: Effect on Team Members
- Continued to be recognized as a Great Place to Work globally and across Asia Pacific:
- Ranked as the top global hospitality company to work for for the third consecutive year in Asia’s Best Multinational Workplace 2019 list, according to global research and consulting firm Great Place to Work®, and #2 on the list of World’s Best Workplaces by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work.
- Received certification as a Great Place to Work in six countries across South East Asia — namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Named #2 Best Workplace in Greater China for the fifth consecutive year and listed as one of the country’s best workplaces for women for the first time, building on earlier Great Place to Work recognition in Australia and India.
- Celebrated dynamic and aspirational workplaces with the move to its new Asia Pacific headquarters at Centennial Towers in Singapore, brand-new office space in Delhi, and expansion of its corporate offices in Shanghai and Tokyo.
100th Anniversary Celebrations and Activations: Effect on Communities
- Launched the Hilton Effect Foundation in celebration of its milestone 100th anniversary, to help create a better world to travel by investing in organizations and people that have a positive impact on the communities Hilton serves. The initial grants will support programs around the globe that are creating opportunities for youth, aiding in disaster recovery, and supporting water stewardship and sustainability.
- Hundreds of hotels throughout Asia Pacific extended Hilton’s hospitality into communities with ‘Acts of Hospitality’ in communities including China, Australia, Japan, and Indonesia to mark the momentous 100thanniversary.
- Launch of Room 702 video series to mark the 50th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-In for Peace, which builds on Conrad Hilton’s original vision of filling the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality through travel and tourism. In Asia Pacific, this was launched on Thanksgiving, featuring Nick Li, a security manager at Hilton Chengdu, who has held on to his dream of creating a brighter future for underprivileged children through education.
