Hilton International to boost outbound traffic with new Director of International Sales

Based in Hilton's new regional headquarters at the Dubai Internet City, Avsar Koc said, "I am delighted to be appointed to this new and exciting role as Hilton continues to expand its global portfolio. The Gulf is a growing feeder market to the Hilton family of hotels worldwide and my focus will be to enhance specialized travel solutions for business and leisure travellers from the region".

With the market trend shifting and Gulf travellers looking more towards destinations in Europe and Asia-Pacific, various properties such as the spectacular Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa, Rangali Island and the ideally located Hilton Bangkok in addition to other Hilton hotels in France, Germany, UK and Australia, stand poised to meet the increased occupancy levels.

Avsar's knowledge of the local market also lends itself to promote regional destinations within the GCC. The new Jeddah Hilton, with its strategic proximity to the religious cities of Makkah and Madinah is geared up to receive the rising number of Haj and Umrah travellers, while the soon to open Hilton Kuwait Hotel & Resort will be a flagship property for Hilton offering some of the best business and leisure facilities in the Gulf.

"With our new Middle East Hilton HHonors® customer service desk and Hilton Worldwide Reservations centre based in our offices at Dubai Internet City, we have the opportunity to offer highly competitive preferential rates and tailor-made packages through our wide partnership with airlines and other travel partners", added Avsar.

Customised specifically for the summer, Hilton are offering two special packages for families - 'Great Family Escapes' where children can stay and eat absolutely free of charge, and 'Hilton for Free' offering up to three additional nights stay for free.

Avsar, a Turkish native, brings with him over nine years of experience in the hospitality industry. He joined the Hilton group in 1994 as Sales Manager of Hilton Istanbul and Hilton Parksa Istanbul, and later moved to Dubai to drive sales at the Hilton Dubai & Hilton Beach Club.

With a strong foothold in marketing coupled with a firm understanding of the region, an optimistic Avsar adds, "My objective is to make Hilton hotels the number one choice for Gulf travellers when looking for great value, quality service and excellent locations in over 2,000 hotels around the world."

Speaking on the portfolio of hotels within the Hilton family, Avsar explained: "With the purchase of Scandic hotels in July 2001 and the alliance in 1996 with Hilton's five-star deluxe chain, Conrad, we now have an even wider variety of exciting hotel experiences consistent with the number one hotel brand in the world."