Hilton’s 600th hotel opens, upbeat about tourism recovery

BEIJING: The nation saw the 600th Hilton hotel opened recently in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. The global hospitality company is steadfast in its commitment to accelerating further expansion, banking on the thriving tourism market, according to a top Hilton executive.

Qian Jin, president of Hilton Greater China and Mongolia, emphasised the significance of China as its second-largest market globally after the United States.

“As one of the fastest-growing international hotel groups in China, Hilton has opened 100 new hotels annually over the past four years. This rapid expansion showcases our collaborative efforts, a pace we proudly refer to as Hilton speed,” he said.According to JLL, a leading provider of commercial real estate solutions, this year has seen a significant increase in Chinese travellers, driving a strong uptick in domestic tourism.

During the eight-day holiday starting in late September, the number of domestic trips increased by 4.1% from 2019 levels, and tourism revenue grew 1.5% from the same period in 2019.

Leisure demand has dominated the tourism sector, but there has also been growing demand for business and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) activities, indicating a gradual recovery and diversification in the types of travellers visiting the region, said the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Hilton’s most recent opening in Niushoushan in Nanjing is designed to cater to both business and leisure visitors.

It signifies the hotelier’s robust presence in China, boasting 600 hotels in operation in over 200 areas.

Hilton’s portfolio in China includes 12 out of its total 22 brands, covering luxury, lifestyle, full service and focused service offerings.

In 2023, the Hilton Hotels & Resort brand introduced properties in key urban and sought-after destinations for both business and leisure travellers, reaching a total of more than 70 properties in the country.

Hilton’s upscale brands, Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels and Resorts, continued to see significant growth with new openings in major cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou in Jiangsu, and Hainan province’s Haikou. At present, there are 18 operational properties and nearly 20 in the pipeline under these luxury brands. — China Daily/ANN