January 30, 2015 – PRAIA, Cabo Verde & MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a management agreement with The Resort Group PLC to open an upscale Hilton Hotel in Praia, the Capital of the Republic of Cabo Verde (Cape Verde). Spanning 10 islands, Cabo Verde is located in the central Atlantic Ocean, some 570 kilometres from the coast of West Africa.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president of development, Europe and Africa, for Hilton Worldwide, said: “Benefiting from a rich visitor offering and progressive business environment Cabo Verde is developing its reputation as a place to visit for both corporate and leisure purposes. We are delighted to be expanding our presence here, with a prestigious new Hilton Hotel for Praia, in what is a strategically important trading location for Africa, Europe and the Americas.”

The newly constructed Hilton Praia, located on Santiago Island, will offer 201 guestrooms and suites across 15 floors and also feature a business center and leisure facilities including a fitness and spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Expected to begin welcoming guests in 2018, Hilton Praia will provide extensive meetings and events facilities with more than 700 square meters of space, made up of a large ballroom and four further meeting rooms – ideal for major corporate events, incentive groups as well as social occasions.

“We are pleased to be setting the stage for travelers to enjoy renowned Hilton hospitality in Cabo Verde,” said Rob Palleschi, global head, full service brands, Hilton Worldwide. “An intriguing destination, which sees influence from European and African cultures, Cabo Verde welcomes more than 500,000 visitors each year – offering them beautiful scenery, vibrant culture and commercial opportunities.”

Hilton Praia will be located approximately six kilometres from Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) and six kilometres from Port of Praia one of the principle ports of Cabo Verde. The hotel will benefit from close proximity to the city’s diplomatic quarters, governmental institutions as well as commercial, finance and residential areas. The University of Cabo Verde is also located close by to the site of Hilton Praia.

Rob Jarrett, CEO of The Resort Group PLC, said “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Hilton Worldwde for a hotel on the island of Santiago, at a time when Cabo Verde continues to flourish. The Hilton brand is one that is respected and renowned throughout the world for setting the very highest standards in hospitality, and our latest hotel development will encapsulate those standards, ensuring that we deliver a landmark hotel in the capital city of Praia.”

Hilton Worldwide currently has 37 hotels operating across Africa, with a further 26 hotels under development, including a 268 guestroom Hilton resort property in Santa Maria on Sal Island, Cabo Verde. The company recently announced the signing of agreements to open two Hilton Garden Inns in Nigeria and the company’s most recent opening was DoubleTree by Hilton Zanzibar Stone Town, Tanzania.

View more news about Hilton Hotels & Resorts openings and a development map at http://news.hilton.com/openings.