Hilton revs up for Arabian Travel Market 2006

"ATM is the region's quintessential hospitality exhibition dedicated to everyone and anyone in the industry. We take pride in our participation in the annual event since its inauguration, and look forward to making a splash with our key announcements this year," said Rudi Jagersbacher, Vice President of Hilton International, Arabian Peninsula.

Hilton has been at the forefront of ATM since its inception thirteen years ago and has successfully exhibited year after year. This year's exhibition will see Hilton advance its position among a new generation of young and affluent travellers, with its latest initiative, Hilton Racing, having recently partnered with the world's leading Formula 1 team, Team McLaren Mercedes for the World Championships.

Hilton Racing is a complimentary membership club which provides customers with a range of benefits including exclusive discounts off select resort holidays and short breaks, the ability to purchase limited edition merchandise, entry into competitions and access to select 'Hilton Racing' events. A racing car simulator will be unveiled at ATM to launch this innovative club in the region.

Hilton is proud to be the first hotel company to partner with F1. Sharing a similar work ethos and customer base, Hilton and Team McLaren Mercedes are world leaders in their respective brands and together they make a winning team.

Hilton is one of the most established international hotel chains in the Arabian Peninsula. Following the recent acquisition of Hilton International by Hilton Hotels Corporation, the new re-united company is the world's largest and most geographically diverse company, with nearly 2,800 hotels in 80 countries. The acquisition opens expansion opportunities for all the Hilton Family of Brands around the world and significant growth opportunity is expected here in the region through franchise and management agreements.

"As the Middle East continues to garner attention both regionally and internationally, our commitment to remaining the region's leading hotel brand becomes increasingly clear,"

continued Jagersbacher. "The recent merger will serve to strengthen Hilton's presence in the market, and with the introduction of many new brands, our partners and customers will be spoilt for choice."

Hilton will also announce the opening of Qasr Al Sharq, Hilton's first palace hotel in the world this summer. The 46-all-suite premier property in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia promises its guests the highest standards of opulence and sheer exclusivity.

Other Hilton property developments in the region include the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa with the first phase opening in December this year, the Hilton Jumeirah Beach Club in Dubai and the Hilton Doha in Qatar both set to open in 2007, and the first Conrad in the Gulf in Dubai to follow in 2008.

"We are committed to pushing our business forward throughout the Middle East. As a unified company, we can now take the steps to fulfil our vision of having a hotel in every major city in the region," concluded Jagersbacher.

The Hilton stand can be found in the Dubai World Trade Centre, Hall 1, Stand 1275.