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Hilton New Orleans Riverside is Partially Operational and is Housing Relief Workers |
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Sept. 19, 2005--Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT
- News) continues to monitor the status of Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy
Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn
and Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
"As the clean-up and rebuilding efforts begin in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, our thoughts and best wishes continue to be with those who have been impacted by the tragic events in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina," said Stephen F. Bollenbach, co-chairman and chief executive officer, Hilton Hotels Corporation. "I am incredibly proud of the compassion and generosity shown by our employees company wide; it has been overwhelming. We have established the Hilton Employee Relief Fund(a) to collect funds to distribute to Hilton Family of Hotels team members affected by Hurricane Katrina. We have funded it with an initial contribution of $2 million from Hilton Hotels Corporation. It is our hope that, by donating to this fund, our employees will be able to further assist fellow team members at the 29 owned, managed and franchised hotels that have been closed due to the hurricane." Additionally, employees of the company's closed owned and managed hotels in the New Orleans area are being compensated at their normal rate of pay through the end of September 2005. Every effort is being made to assist employees evacuated from the hurricane-ravaged areas with resources to find housing and transportation. For displaced team members and families of guests trying to locate current and evacuated guests, the Hilton Family Hurricane Emergency Guest Assistance number is: 1-888-240-6152. The company also has established a team member job network, whereby hotels throughout the country that have open positions, as well as Hilton Family team members needing jobs, can communicate: www.KatrinaJobs.hilton.com. To date, more than 100 hotels within the Hilton Family have submitted over 600 open jobs that are being offered to team members impacted by Hurricane Katrina. HHonors Point Donation to American Red Cross Effective September 1, members of the Hilton HHonors® guest reward program who wish to contribute to the American Red Cross hurricane relief effort may do so by sending an email to [email protected] or calling their area HHonors Customer Service Center, detailing the number of points to be donated (must be in increments of 10,000; each donation of 10,000 Hilton HHonors points represents a $25 donation to the American Red Cross). Reservations and Group Bookings Guests with reservations whose travel plans have been disrupted directly by the storm, or who are planning to travel to nearby areas where evacuees are being relocated, are encouraged to contact Hilton Family toll-free reservations at 1-800-HILTONS to determine hotel availability. The Hilton Family of Hotels also is waiving group cancellation damages for meetings through December 31, 2005 at hotels in the New Orleans area and Gulf Coast of Mississippi. The company has established a Hurricane Group Bookings Hotline for inquiries: 1-866-973-8030. Status of Hilton Family Hotels in Hurricane-Affected Areas No major guest or team member injuries have been reported at the Hilton Family of Hotels. Most hotels have reported water leaks, broken windows and minor stucco damage in various areas. Some hotels will be closed longer-term due to cleanup efforts and water damage, particularly in New Orleans. As of mid-September 2005, following is the status of Hilton Family Hotels in Hurricane-Affected areas: Louisiana
Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,300 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Club® and Homewood Suites by Hilton®. For information and reservations, please contact: hiltonfamily.com. (a) Hilton Employee Relief Fund (the "Fund") is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation organized to collect funds to distribute to Hilton employees affected by Hurricane Katrina. The address of record of the Fund is 9336 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. The fund is tax exempt under federal and California tax laws. All contributions will benefit the fund and contributions are tax deductible as charitable contributions to the extent permitted by state and federal tax laws. |
Contact:
Hilton Hotels Corporation
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