Hilton says committed to Middle East growth

Hilton Worldwide has said it has the largest number of hotels in active development across the Middle East and Africa as it looks for strong growth in the region.

The global hotel operator said it has a total of 12,349 rooms in 35 properties in active construction.

Hilton Worldwide added in a statement that it will be "aggressively expanding" its presence in the region in the next two to three years.

In 2012, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the company's flagship brand, entered Lebanon and Qatar with the openings of Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand, Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace and Hilton Doha.

In addition, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, the company's luxury, contemporary brand opened its first hotel in South Africa with the introduction of Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, MEA, said: "I am proud to close the year with a strong network of 60 operational hotels as well as a healthy and active pipeline that will give us significant growth in the next few years." 

In the last 12 months, Hilton Worldwide MEA has approved 16 new deals across four of the five brands operating in the region.

2013 will continue the brand expansion with the launch of two luxury brands in the UAE with Conrad Dubai and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah as well as the introduction of the first Hilton Garden Inn into Qatar and a new market opening in the Dead Sea, Jordan for Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

Jagersbacher added: "With multiple openings and many more signings to look forward to, we aim to make 2013 a year for strengthening bonds with all our stakeholders while continuing to move ahead on our regional growth."