5 January 2005 - Hilton Group has pledged its ongoing support to the people and communities affected by the Tsunami disaster, committing an initial donation of £100,000 from The Hilton in the Community Foundation, and a further £100,000 from its betting and gaming division Ladbrokes towards aid relief.

Hilton International operates five properties in locations that were affected by the earthquake and subsequent tidal wave, but fortunately all five properties sustained little or no damage and remain fully operational with all team members and guests at the properties reported as safe.

Other support efforts since December 26th include:

·           Immediate additional financial aid extended to team members directly affected by the disaster

·           Members of Hilton's loyalty scheme may donate their HHonors points to aid the relief efforts - each 10,000 HHonors point donation equals $25US with 100% going directly to the International Red Cross

·           Local fundraising and support initiatives throughout Scandic, Hilton and Conrad hotels worldwide including the Hilton Colombo dispatching 2 truck loads of blankets, medicines and bottled water to locally affected areas

·           Almost 30,000 Euros donated by Scandic

·           One Basingstoke based Ladbrokes punter donated £1000 after backing Chelsea to beat Liverpool 

Hilton Group has pledged its continued commitment to the area with at least three new openings planned over the next two years in Phuket (Conrad), Bangkok and Krabi, Thailand.

For more information on Hilton Group and latest news, please visit our corporate website, at: www.hiltongroup.com