NOTE: This article is almost entirely poached from a January 28, 2020 article in hotelnewsresource.com
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced that its centennial year featured record-breaking growth, awards for its inclusive workplace culture, and continued recognition of positive community impact.
“Throughout the last 100 years, Hilton has had a tremendous positive impact on billions of lives across the globe,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president & chief executive officer, Hilton. “As we look toward the future, we will continue to prioritize sustainable and inclusive growth, enabling us to further strengthen the collective impact we have on the people and communities we serve.”
In 2019, Hilton achieved 6.6 percent net unit growth by adding nearly 470 hotels and reaching 6,110 properties globally with more than 971,000 rooms in 119 countries and territories. The company also grew its development pipeline to more than 387,000 rooms across 15 of its brands, supported by more than 116,000 rooms approved in 72 countries and territories. In addition, Hilton achieved a new construction start record of nearly 87,000 rooms.
“Hilton’s growth and performance are a testament to our resilient business model,” said Kevin Jacobs, chief financial officer, Hilton. “In addition to our record-breaking growth across approvals, construction starts and net units, we are delivering on our commitment to serve any guest, anywhere in the world, for any travel need.”
Record Growth: Effect on Economies
- Opened more luxury properties than in any previous year in its 100-year history, adding 11 hotels across Hilton’s luxury brands Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts
- Unveiled Signia by Hilton, a dynamic meetings-and-events-focused brand that will transform the industry for meeting professionals and sophisticated business travelers, located in top urban and resort destinations including Orlando, Atlanta and Indianapolis
- Expanded presence in Africa to more than 100 hotels trading or under development, including bringing two new brands to Africa with the Hampton by Hilton Sandton Grayson and the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof
- Opened the Hampton by Hilton and grew the brand pipeline to the largest ever; Tru by Hilton also continued its rapid growth, reaching more than 115 open hotels since its 2016 launch
- LXR Hotels & Resorts debuted in Europe and the Americas with The Biltmore Mayfair, LXR Hotels & Resorts and Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa – LXR Hotels & Resorts respectively; Motto by Hilton reached 10 hotels under development
- Homewood Suites by Hilton celebrated its property opening, first hotel in the Caribbean and 30thanniversary of the brand; Home2 Suites by Hilton opened its property; Embassy Suites by Hilton marked its anniversary
Travel with Purpose: Effect on Communities
- Launched The Hilton Effect Foundation, dedicated to creating a better world to travel
- Named the global industry leader in sustainability on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), the most prestigious ranking for corporate responsibility
- Recognized as the only hospitality company on Fortune’sChange the World list for the second year in a row
- Named to climate change “A-List” by the environmental impact nonprofit CDP
- Expanded decade-long soap recycling program, already the largest in the hospitality industry, to more than 5,300 properties in 70 countries and territories
- Exceeded Open Doors pledge to connect, prepare or employ one million young people by 2019
- Invested in local communities by contributing nearly 550,000 volunteering hours at nearly 10,500 events and expanding food donation initiative to all Hilton managed hotels in the U.S. and Canada
Customer Innovations: Effect on Guests
- Welcomed 178 million guests at its properties worldwide and the 100 millionth Hilton Honors member, growing the award-winning loyalty program by 21 percent to more than 103 million members at year-end
- Launched a first-of-its-kind travel and hospitality partnership with Lyft, allowing Hilton Honors members to earn and redeem Hilton Honors Points when they ride with Lyft
- Achieved record numbers of package redemptions through the Hilton Honors Experiences Platform, and hosted intimate music events via an expanded partnership with Live Nation, the world’s leading live entertainment company
- Partnered with iHeartRadio to allow guests to stream live radio stations, thousands of music playlists and podcasts directly from their TVs through Hilton’s high-tech Connected Room guest technology platform
- Became the first hospitality company to participate in research aboard the International Space Station, when the DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie became the first food baked in space inside a prototype oven as part of a landmark microgravity experiment
Employee Innovations: Effect on Team Members
- Named #4 Top 50 Company for Diversity by DiversityInc and received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for the seventh consecutive year
- Celebrated anniversary with more than 420,000 Team Members** and created more than 25,000 new jobs worldwide***
- Achieved five-year target of hiring 30,000 veterans, military spouses and caregivers, and expanded military-friendly commitment by pledging to make 25,000 additional hires by 2025, while also enhancing training and development opportunities
*Industry data from STR
** Corporate, owned, managed and franchised employees globally
***As a result of opening properties across Hilton’s portfolio
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