In a year when the travel industry faced challenges like never before, Hilton reached a significant growth milestone. As Hilton reaches 1 million rooms around the world, they have cause to be optimistic starting 2021.
Even as the company faced the biggest test in its 101-year history, Hilton’s capital-light business model enabled it to organically reach its 1 million room milestone in the fourth quarter. And that’s cause for everyone who loves travel to celebrate.
There are still some bright spots in the travel industry
Three of the hotels that helped the company cross this important threshold paint a picture of Hilton’s global growth story: Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch in South Africa, illustrating the company’s expansion into Africa; Tru by Hilton Savannah Airport, showcasing the power of the fastest-growing new brand in Hilton’s portfolio; and the Hilton Garden Inn Guizhou Maotai Town in China, helping deliver on the company’s ambitious growth goals in the APAC market.
Meanwhile, Hilton’s overall development pipeline remains strong, with 2,640 hotels and more than 408,000 rooms globally.
“It’s been a year unlike any other, but even in the face of incredible challenges, our Team Members and owners have proven that travel is an unstoppable force for good,” said Chris Nassetta, president & CEO, Hilton. “Thanks to their grit and determination, Hilton has made a difference in the lives of so many and positively impacted communities at a time when our hospitality is needed more than ever – and together we look forward to creating even more meaningful memories in the year ahead.”
We also have to add that Hilton did a good job adapting to the pandemic last year, while also helping their most loyal customer retain status. The challenge for Hilton and other large hotel chains in 2021 will be to regain business and leisure travelers, while finding innovative ways of retaining their most elite customers through promotions, elite status extensions and other ways to entice them to hit the road.
