Mohab Ghali: Hilton celebrates 100 years since its first hotel worldwide and 60 years in Egypt
The group's hotels account for about 50% of bookings around the world
Mohab Ghali, Vice President of Operations for Egypt and North Africa at Hilton, revealed Hilton's expansion plan in the Egyptian market, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the first hotel bearing the group's name worldwide and its 60 years in Egypt, adding that Hilton hotels' share of bookings around the world ranges from 40 to 50%.
Ghali stated that a management contract was signed last week for a hotel in Ain Sokhna under the group's DoubleTree brand, with a capacity of 200 rooms, scheduled to open in 2024, adding that another hotel is under construction, and that by the end of 2020 the Waldorf Astoria Cairo will open in the Masaken Sheraton area, while next year will also see the opening of Hilton Hurghada Plaza after its renovation.
Ghali added that Hilton aims to have its name in all tourist cities, so Hilton El Gouna, with 350 rooms, is scheduled to open at the end of 2020 or the beginning of 2021, noting that El Gouna has a special character, which supports the diversity that Hilton hotels offer their customers.
Hilton's pipeline of hotels awaiting opening is the fastest-growing in the global hospitality sector, as the company plans to expand into 20 new markets next year, and there are already more than 2,400 hotels and resorts under construction within Hilton's expansion projects, meaning that one in every 5 hotel rooms under construction worldwide belongs to Hilton.
At the same time, Hilton has an ambitious plan to expand in the Egyptian market that includes bringing in new brands and expanding its existing ones. Hilton currently operates 16 hotels and resorts in Egypt and aims to achieve 40% growth in the number of its hotels in the local market. Hilton's expansion plans in Egypt include a presence in new areas, namely El Gouna, Ain Sokhna, Damietta, Port Said, Maadi and New Cairo, and within 5 years it plans to bring new brands to the local market, namely DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, in addition to expanding the number of hotels under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.
Hilton focuses on providing the highest standards in its hotels operating in the Egyptian market, as it is currently implementing a comprehensive renovation plan at a number of its hotels, including Ramses Hilton, Hilton Pyramids Golf, Hilton Hurghada Resort, Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza and Conrad Cairo.
The Vice President of Hilton in Egypt and North Africa noted that Hilton has 17 brands and operates 6,000 hotels around the world, and that Hilton is distinguished by having the first airport hotel, the first room with a television and the first minibar in a hotel room, which confirms its leadership in the world of hospitality.
He said that the Hilton Honors program has attracted 100 million members who benefit from its advantages around the world, and that during its 100-year journey, Hilton has served 3 billion guests in its hotels around the world, with the total economic impact of this reaching one trillion dollars.
On another note, Hilton's legacy of supporting the development of the hospitality sector in the Egyptian market continues, especially under the umbrella of its comprehensive corporate program "Travel with Purpose", which represents Hilton's corporate social responsibility strategy and through which the company works to redefine and develop sustainable travel worldwide. Hilton hotels in Egypt continue their role as a key player in supporting local communities, as 4,000 young men and women have been trained in various fields as part of its social responsibility through a grant from the American company Hilton.
Hilton also cooperates with UNICEF and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to support and assist young people: through the "Meshwary" initiative, it contributes to honing the skills of Egyptian youth through many distinguished training opportunities, training 750 young women from Upper Egypt to be employed in hotels.
It is worth noting that Hilton has 420,000 employees in 114 countries around the world, while about 70,000 people work in 500 hotels and resorts in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, and Hilton was ranked second among the best places to work in the world by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work for 2019.
