DUBAI, UAE - May 18, 2011 - Hilton Worldwide is set to
triple the number of hotels the company has in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia (KSA), following the signing of six new properties in the holy
city of Makkah. The new hotels form part of the Jabal Omar development,
one of the largest hotel developments in the world, and brings the
total number of hotels in the company's development pipeline in KSA to
12, a total of more than 6,000 rooms. This growth will require Hilton
Worldwide to recruit 9,000 new Team Members over the next 3-4 years.
Overlooking the Grand Mosque in the centre of Makkah, the
Jabal Omar development will help to meet the demands for a wider
variety of accommodation from the rising number of pilgrims visiting
Saudi Arabia every year. Hilton Worldwide will manage 30 percent of the
rooms in the development, across six hotels - four Hilton Hotels &
Resorts properties, including an all-suites hotel and a convention
centre, a DoubleTree by Hilton and the first Conrad hotel in the
country.
Conrad Makkah, Hilton Suites Makkah, Hilton Bab Makkah North,
Hilton Bab Makkah South, Hilton Makkah Convention Hotel and DoubleTree
by Hilton Makkah are scheduled to open in 2014. When all six hotels
open, Saudi Arabia will become the first country across the Middle East
and Africa to become home to all five brands the company offers in the
region.
"In the next three years we will triple our presence in Saudi
Arabia and have a total of nearly 5,000 rooms in Makkah alone," said
Ian Carter, president, global operations and development, Hilton
Worldwide. "There's no mistaking the potential for even further growth
in the Kingdom and Jabal Omar is a great example of this. We are also
seeing an increased interest from owners who are developing hotels in
the secondary cities, and they are looking across our spectrum of
brands to make the most of the booming market."
To support Hilton Worldwide's growth in Saudi Arabia, the
company will be recruiting 9,000 new Team Members. In line with Saudi
law, a significant number of these Team Members will be Saudi
nationals. To this end, the company has partnered with The Prince
Sultan College for Tourism and Business (PSCJ) to develop a hospitality
curriculum and qualification specific to Hilton Worldwide. The first
class of students to embark on the programme will begin studying in
September 2011.
"We've got a huge task ahead of us to recruit the number of
people required for our upcoming hotels in the Kingdom. By partnering
with The Prince Sultan College for Tourism and Business we hope to
engage aspiring young Saudis to pursue a career in hospitality, and to
work together to train the people we will need across our hotels," said
Rudi Jagersbacher, area president, Middle East and Africa, Hilton
Worldwide.
The company will also provide support to the six hotel schools
to be set up by the Jabal Omar Development Company and the General
Organisation for Technical Education and Vocational Training. These
schools aim to train around 20,000 people over 10 years to work in the
industry.
Saudi Arabia has seen an increasing number of religious and
business travellers each year. As the site of the largest pilgrimage in
the world - Makkah attracts millions of people from every corner of the
world during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Hilton Worldwide's maiden
property in the city - Makkah Hilton & Towers - has remained one of
the key hotels in the city since it opened as the first international
hotel in the holy city 17 years ago.
Hilton Worldwide currently operates six hotels across KSA and
has a total of 12 hotels in the development pipeline in the country.
The company has signed 10 management agreements to date this year and
the total number of hotels in the development pipeline across Middle
East and Africa now stands at 36.
JABAL OMAR HOTEL PROFILES:
Conrad Makkah
- Rooms: 496
- F&B outlets: 2 specialty, 1 all day dining and 1 lounge
- Event Space: 4 meeting rooms and 1 ballroom
- Other amenities: Health club
Hilton Suites Makkah
- Rooms: 516
- F&B outlets: 2 all day dining and 2 lounges
- Event Space: 2 meeting rooms and 1 function room
- Other amenities: Health club
Hilton Bab Makkah North
- Rooms: 865
- F&B outlets: 2 all day dining and 2 lounges
- Event Space: 2 meeting rooms and 1 ballroom
- Other amenities: Health club
Hilton Bab Makkah South
- Rooms: 865
- F&B outlets: 2 all day dining and 2 lounges
- Event Space: 2 meeting rooms and 1 ballroom
- Other amenities: Health club
Hilton Makkah Convention Hotel
- Rooms: 566
- F&B outlets: 1 specialty, 1 all day dining and 1 lounge
- Event Space: 2 function rooms and 1 ballroom
- Other amenities: Health club
DoubleTree by Hilton Makkah
- Rooms: 806
- F&B outlets: 2 specialty, 1 all day dining and 2 lounges
- Event Space: 2 meeting rooms
- Other amenities: Health club
About Conrad
Hotels & Resorts
CONRAD® HOTELS & RESORTS is Hilton Worldwide's global luxury
brand and the choice for today's modern, sophisticated traveler. By
focusing on the individual, Conrad offers guests genuine and
personalized experience and a world of style, service and connection.
Each Conrad is a dynamic reflection of its city and culture, as well as
a showcase for striking design and distinct surroundings. Across five
continents, in the world's gateway cities and most sought-after resort
destinations, Conrad invites each guest to enjoy The Luxury Of Being
Yourself®. For information on Conrad, please visit www.conradhotels.com.
Conrad Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide's ten
market-leading brands.
About
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels
With a fast-growing global collection of contemporary, upscale hotels
in more than 250 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation
destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at
DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for
our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly
serve. Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome
upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors®
guest loyalty programme, an array of fine services and amenities and
our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 60,000
team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that
make the traveller feel human again.
To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel,
travelers may visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com. Social media users may connect
with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree,
www.twitter.com/doubletree
and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels.
About Hilton
Hotels & Resorts
One of the most recognized names in the industry, Hilton Hotels &
Resorts stands as the stylish, forward thinking global leader in
hospitality. From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business
events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history,
closes the deal, toasts special occasions and gets away from it all.
The flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide continues to build upon its
legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the
needs of tomorrow's savvy global travelers while more than 144,000 Team
Members shape experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued
and respected. Today, the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio
includes more than 540 hotels in 76 countries and the brand remains
synonymous with "hotel." Access the latest Hilton news at www.hiltonglobalmediacenter.com
or begin your journey at www.hilton.com.
Social media users can engage with Hilton at www.twitter.com/hiltononline,
www.facebook.com/hilton
and www.youtube.com/hilton.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten
market-leading brands.
About Hilton
Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning
the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to
extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 92 years, Hilton
Worldwide has been offering 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 3,700 hotels and 610,000 rooms in 82 countries and 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®.
For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.
|