Christopher Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, presented the keynote address at this week's South American Hotel Investment & Tourism Conference (SAHIC 2016) at the Hilton Colon Guayaquil in Ecuador.
"As Hilton drives remarkable global growth with the largest rooms pipeline in the industry, Latin America plays an incredibly important role in our expansion efforts," Nassetta said. "We continue to achieve sustained year-over-year growth in the region and look forward to welcoming our 100th hotel in Latin America later this year."
Based on Hilton's second-quarter 2016 results and for the 12 months ended June 30, 2016, the company has opened approximately 20 new hotels in Latin America and has signed nearly 30 deals. As a result, Hilton now has more than 16,000 rooms open in a portfolio of more than 90 hotels and resorts in Latin America, and has more than 50 projects in the region's pipeline.
New Hotels
New hotel highlights include debuts in several new markets such as Hampton by Hilton Santa Cruz, Bolivia - the company's first hotel in the country; Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City - the company's first hotel in Guatemala; first in country Hilton Garden Inn brand hotels in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Cusco, Peru and Montevideo, Uruguay; two DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in Bogota, Colombia, including the first for brand in country; Anselmo Buenos Aires - the first Curio - A Collection by Hilton hotel in Argentina and Latin America; and approximately 10 new hotels in Mexico, among others. Additional hotels are expected to open by the end of this year in Colombia, Honduras, Mexico and Peru, advancing plans to deliver the company's 100th hotel in Latin America.
Development Pipeline and Brands
"The industry is showing growing interest in branded hotel supply throughout the region as owners see the benefit of a global brand's recognition, distribution channels, award-winning guest loyalty program, standards and systems to fully maximize their market potential," said Ted Middleton, senior vice president of development, Latin America for Hilton.
With nearly 30 deals signed in the 12 months ended June 30, 2016, Hilton maintains a strong pipeline of more than 50 projects and more than 7,750 rooms across Argentina, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Deal highlights include Hampton by Hilton Bariloche, Argentina; an exclusive management license agreement with Atlantica Hotels to develop and manage Hilton Garden Inn hotels in Brazil; two Curio - A Collection by Hilton hotels - Indura Beach & Golf Resort, Honduras and The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village, Belize, with the latter representing a new country for Hilton; Hilton Garden Inn Ciudad del Este, Paraguay representing a new country for Hilton; and seven deals across Peru, including DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton; among other developments.