Hilton
Worldwide today announced an exclusive license agreement with
Plateno Hotels Group, one of China’s leading hospitality groups, to
rapidly launch and develop the Hampton
by Hilton brand in China. With this agreement, Hampton plans to have
over 400 deals signed, with the first hotel expected to open by the end
of 2015. Hampton by Hilton is a leader in the mid-priced hotel segment
with nearly 2,000 properties in 17 countries. Plateno Hotels Group
operates five brands with a portfolio of over 3,000 hotels in 300 cities
across China and operates China’s largest hotel loyalty program,
reaching 80 million members.
Hilton Worldwide signs an exclusive license agreement with Plateno Hotels Group, one of China's leading hospitality groups, to rapidly launch and develop the Hampton by Hilton brand in China (shown). Phil Cordell, global head of focused service and Hampton brand management, Hilton Worldwide (left) and Eric Wu, CFO of Plateno Hotels Group (right), participate in a ceremonial signing at a launch event in Beijing on October 30, 2014. (Photo: Hilton Worldwide)
“We expect that this partnership will allow us to accelerate our efforts
to gain broad geographic and chain scale distribution in China, enabling
us to access a large, growing customer base for both in country and
outbound business,” said Jim Holthouser, executive vice president,
global brands, Hilton Worldwide. “Our five existing brands in China are
growing at a rapid pace, and after extensively researching the market,
we’ve seen an untapped opportunity to grow in the upper economy to
mid-scale category. We’re now seizing the opportunity to introduce the
Hampton by Hilton brand at scale with an unprecedented partnership with
Plateno Hotels Group.”
China has a growing demand for the mid-scale hotel market and has a low
supply of 3- to 3.5-star hotels. Hampton has designed a 3-star hotel
prototype to fit top-tier cities in China, serving value-conscious,
quality-driven business and leisure travelers. Hampton by Hilton’s
portfolio in China will be a mixture of new builds, conversions and
adaptive reuse properties. Plateno Hotels Group will lead the
development and management of the hotels.
“Our key strategic objective for Hampton is to expand our global
footprint in China by offering a very popular hotel product in the
mid-scale market, which has not evolved as quickly as in the economy
sector,” said Phil Cordell, global head, focused service and Hampton
brand management, Hilton Worldwide. “Plateno has the largest hotel
footprint and loyalty program in China, in addition to being experts in
development and management. Our partnership will fuel the growth of
Hampton by Hilton in China in addition to allowing us to establish
strong relationships with new owners and guests.”
Guests of Hampton by Hilton hotels in China will be able to participate
in the globally recognized loyalty program, Hilton HHonors. Plateno
Hotels Group operates China’s largest hotel guest loyalty program with
more than 80 million members, which will provide a new source of guests
for Hampton by Hilton in China. The partnership will also provide an
opportunity to educate Chinese guests about Hilton HHonors and Hilton
Worldwide’s other best-in-class brands. Combined with Hilton Worldwide’s
43 million Hilton HHonors members in 94 countries, over 120 million
travelers from China and around the globe will be able to earn rewards
by staying at Hampton by Hilton hotels in China.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the global hospitality leader Hilton
Worldwide to bring Hampton by Hilton to China,” said Eric Wu, CFO of
Plateno Hotels Group. “There is a substantial demand in China for a
quality mid-scale lodging option, and we believe that Hampton is the
right product to meet this need. Its enthusiastic and caring culture,
together with its sought-after amenities such as free Wi-Fi, clean,
comfortable beds and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, will be very
appealing to Chinese travelers.”
Hampton and Plateno share common views on how best to serve guests.
Plateno’s focus on a collaborative, fun-spirited brand culture that
empowers team members to exceed guest expectations and needs is similar
to Hampton’s culture of Hamptonality, the brand’s friendly and authentic
approach to hospitality.
The 100% Hampton Guarantee, an unconditional satisfaction pledge, will
continue to be a key pillar and will differentiate Hampton by Hilton in
China from its competitors. Room count, product size and on-property and
in-room amenities will also be consistent with the Hampton brand,
including free Wi-Fi and comfortable beds with duvets washed fresh for
every guest.
A consistent interior design aesthetic will distinguish Hampton by
Hilton in China as a brand projecting strength, value, fun and comfort.
Public areas will share the same look and function as current Hampton
properties outside of the Americas, with welcome and gathering zones,
bars, communal tables and on-property amenities, including fitness
centers, gaming zones and 24-hour snack bars and restaurants.
Hilton Worldwide currently has a footprint of five brands operating more
than 17,000 rooms in China with nearly 50,000 rooms in the pipeline.
For more information, please visit http://news.hiltonworldwide.com
or http://news.hampton.com.
About Hampton Hotels
Hampton Hotels, including Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton
by Hilton, is an award-winning leader in the mid-priced hotel segment,
serving value-conscious and quality-driven travelers. With over 1,900
properties totaling more than 195,000 rooms in 17 countries and
territories, Hampton Hotels is part of Hilton Worldwide, a leading
global hospitality company. All Hampton hotels offer a friendly service
culture, defined as Hamptonality, delivered by more than 50,000 Team
Members and backed by the 100% Hampton® Guarantee,
reinforcing its commitment to providing excellent service to business
and leisure travelers alike. High quality and consistent accommodations
and amenities, such as complimentary Wi-Fi, Hampton’s On the House®
hot breakfast, the latest technology and innovations like multi-unit
Power Cubes and the brand’s signature Clean and fresh Hampton bed®,
combined with numerous locations globally have made Hampton a leader in
its segment and one of the fastest growing hotel brands worldwide.
Please visit www.hampton.com,
http://news.hampton.com
or www.hamptonoffers.com
for more information and connect with Hampton Hotels online at www.faceboook.com/Hampton,
http://twitter.com/Hampton
or www.youtube.com/Hampton.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company,
spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and
resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 95
years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition
of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of
12 world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,200 managed,
franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more
than 690,000 rooms in 94 countries and territories, including Hilton
Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels &
Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, 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 an award-winning customer loyalty
program, Hilton HHonors®. Visit news.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.
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