ISTANBUL - January 22, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide today announced that its Hilton Garden Inn brand will add more than 1,100 rooms to the company's development pipeline following the signing of seven new hotel agreements in Turkey. Hilton Garden Inn has grown significantly across the country in the last four years, with ten hotels under development and five hotels trading in locations such as Istanbul, Kutahya, Konya, Mardin and Sanliurfa.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, "We begin 2013 in our strongest ever position in Turkey, following a year which has seen our growth momentum continue to gather pace and our pipeline expand to over 4,000 rooms. Adding this to our 5,500+ rooms operating, we are fast approaching the significant milestone of 10,000 rooms operating or being developed under a Hilton Worldwide brand in Turkey."

The announcement comes following a hugely successful year for Hilton Worldwide in Turkey with new project announcements such as Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center, Hilton Istanbul Kozyatagi Conference Center & Spa, DoubleTree by Hilton Kusadasi, DoubleTree by Hilton Malatya, Hampton by Hilton Samsun and Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Atakoy. The seven new locations unveiled for development by the mid-market Hilton Garden Inn brand are as follows:

Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Kasimpasa - With a total of 200 guestrooms, this is the largest of the seven properties, signed as part of a management agreement with Ofton Insaat Turizm ve Yatirim Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi. Kasimpasa is a rapidly emerging business district within Istanbul and the hotel is situated near several major office clusters. Expected to open in early 2014 the site also offers a prime location for business travelers visiting what is one of the world's key conference venues situated on the Piyalepasa Boulevard equidistant between the Convention Valley and Sutluce Convention Center.

Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Umraniye - Also expected to open in early 2014, this will become Hilton Worldwide's third hotel on the Asian side of Istanbul, having opened DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Moda in 2011 and announced the signing of Hilton Istanbul Kozyatagi Conference Center & Spa in 2012. The 148 guestroom hotel forms part of a striking high-rise building, the lower floors of which will contain the new 'Can Park' shopping mall, which together with the hotel, will fall under the management of franchisee Can Park AVM Isletmecilik Turizm ve Taahhut A.S. The hotel will benefit from the new Uskudar Sancaktepe subway line, with a station located at the shopping mall, scheduled for completion in 2015.

Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Esenyurt - The third of the properties to be located in Istanbul, this hotel will offer 160 guestrooms in what is one of the city's fastest growing districts. Its opening is planned for early 2015 under a management agreement with Semerkand Yapi A.S. The site is ideally positioned to attract passengers from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, thanks to its direct access to the TEM highway. Whilst meetings and events generate significant demand in the area, it also attracts a high level of leisure visitors thanks to the presence of Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Turkey's largest sporting venue and the upmarket Akbati Shopping Mall.

Hilton Garden Inn Trabzon - Located in the stylish, Akcaabat region of Trabzon and scheduled for an opening in the summer of 2015, Hilton Worldwide will operate the hotel as part of a management agreement with Tunalar Otomotiv Turizm Ticaret Limited Sirketi. Offering picturesque views looking out over the Black Sea, the site features 172 guestrooms, an indoor pool and private beach area making it an ideal base from which tourist can explore famous local attractions such as Sumela Monastery and the Hagia Sofia. Whilst Trabzon is renowned as an area of outstanding natural beauty it is also an important venue for meeting and events thanks to facilities such as the 6,000 square meter Trabzon World Trade Center.

Hilton Garden Inn Bursa - Following the successful opening of the landmark dual branded Hilton and Hampton by Hilton Bursa in 2012, Hilton Worldwide will boost its offering in Turkey's fourth largest city through this impressive 17 floor, 180 guestroom property. The hotel is expected to open in early 2014 and will form part of a mixed use development run by franchise operator Guleser Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi which also includes residential accommodation, retail outlets and a range of sporting and leisure facilities.

Hilton Garden Inn Ankara Gimat - This 162 guestroom hotel will be developed as part of a franchise agreement with Ozcelik İmaj Tan Adi Ortakligi. With its opening scheduled for early 2014 the eye catching ten storey property brings a third brand to the Turkish capital, which already plays host to both a Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton.

Hilton Garden Inn Erzincan - Expected to open under a management agreement with Reysas Turizm Yatirimlati ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti in the summer of 2013, this hotel will give Hilton Worldwide a presence in the emerging city of Erzincan for the first time. The city has undergone a period of government backed investment, designed to bring businesses in to the area and is now home to several large corporate offices and Turkey's largest army base with a university under construction. Featuring 120 guestrooms, the hotel will enjoy a high profile location on the main road running through the city center.

Guests at each of the seven hotels will be able to enjoy the Hilton Garden Inn brand's key signature offerings which include the Garden Sleep SystemTM bed and ergonomic chair - ideal for travellers looking for a good night's sleep and comfortable stay. The new hotels will offer access to a 24-hour business center and complimentary high speed Wi-Fi internet access throughout, as well as a fitness center, restaurant facilities and a round the clock snack area.

Mark Nogal, regional head, focused service brand management, Hilton Worldwide, said, "Since introducing Hilton Garden Inn to Turkey in 2008 we have seen our portfolio continue to flourish. We currently have five properties operating in the market and this landmark announcement of a magnificent seven new signings will see that figure triple by 2015. Turkey's thriving tourism industry, coupled with the economic strength of its major cities, makes it an ideal market for further expansion of our award winning mid-market brand and I look forward to watching the development of these hotels over the coming months."

Across a portfolio of five brands, Hilton Worldwide currently operates more than 5,500 bedrooms in 22 hotels throughout Turkey, a figure that is set to continue to rise. In 2011 Turkey accounted for 5% of all Hilton Worldwide global room openings and this news follows February's announcement of four further hotel signings by Hilton Worldwide across the country.

About Hilton Garden Inn®
Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, upscale, yet affordable hotel brand that continually strives to ensure today’s busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road — from our oh-so-comfortable Garden Sleep System® bed to complimentary wired and Wi-Fi Internet access in all guestrooms. So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton Garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while away from home. We even guarantee it with our Hilton Garden Inn Satisfaction Promise: At Hilton Garden Inn, we promise to do whatever it takes to ensure you’re satisfied or you don’t pay. You can count on us. Guaranteed™. For more information about our locations around the globe, visit www.hgi.com or call 1-877-STAY-HGI.

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.