22 ITB
22 ITB BERLIN CONVENTION ITB BERLIN NEWS • Thursday 8 th March 2018 www.itb-berlin-news.com
SPECIAL FEATURE LUXURY ACCOMODATION & TRAVEL 23 Hilton Hits Key Milestones Tanya Clifford, Vice President, Hilton Worldwide Sales, Europe, tells ITB Berlin News that in 2017, the chain achieved several regional milestones, including the opening of its 5000th property globally with the opening of Tru by Hilton at Oklahoma City Airport. In 2017, we also opened our 100th Greater China hotel with the Hilton Quanzhou; our 200th Asia Pacific hotel with Waldorf Astoria Chengdu; the 100th Latin America hotel with the Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana and 100,000th room in EMEA. We also continue to have the highest share of rooms under construction in the industry, with 21% being under the Hilton brand. How is Hilton’s EMEA offering evolving? What’s new at ITB? We currently have 465 hotels in EMEA, and look forward to welcoming more than 50 hotels to the region this year including Konsulat Hotel Reykjavik, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn Bordeaux Centre Gare and Hilton Al Houra Resort & Spa. At Hilton, innovation is in our DNA. From capabilities like Digital Key to our award-winning Hilton Honors app with Google Maps integration, Hilton leads the way in developing gamechanging technologies that enhance travel experiences for our guests. Are there any new brands arriving in new territories? If so, what are the most interesting examples? In 2018, we will open Hilton Belgrade, DoubleTree by Hilton Skopje and Hilton Garden Inn Tirana, bringing renowned Hilton hospitality to Serbia, Macedonia and Albania for the first time. We are also excited to be opening our first Hampton by Hilton in the Middle East with the opening of Hampton by Hilton Dubai Airport. With over 420 rooms, this will be the largest Tanya Clifford Vice President, Hilton Worldwide Sales INNOVATION IS IN OUR DNA Hampton property in the world when it opens Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria, meanwhile, brings the iconic brand to one of London’s most prestigious addresses – overlooking Trafalgar Square and The Mall Hall 9 / Stand 314 STAY IN THE LOOP AT ITB BERLIN’S NEW LUXURY HOTSPOT For the first time at ITB Berlin, a new “Luxury Hotspot” called loop @ ITB will bring together luxury travel stakeholders. Located in Hall 09 | 310, the loop is an exciting new meeting place for key players in luxury tourism. On March 7 and 8, a get-together with drinks, snacks and exciting discussions will take place at 4-6pm at the loop stand. According to the ITB World Travel Trends Report 2017/2018, high-end travel is experiencing double-digit growth. But as luxury travel booms, affluence is no longer defined by material wealth, with values such as selfdiscovery and authenticity becoming more important. These are key topics at ITB Berlin 2018, especially at the new Loop Lounge @ ITB organised in collaboration with Loop, the trade show for luxury products. Here, Meanwhile, luxury travel expert Astrid Oberhummer invites buyers to join her ITB tour on March 7, which starts in front of the Auditorium London (Convention Hall 7.1b) following the ‘Hidden Luxury’ panel discussion (1 - 1.45 pm). Anyone interested can register at loop@lobster-event.com Hall 9 / Stand 310 “ITB LUXURY LATE NIGHT” EVENT FOCUSES ON HIGH- END TRAVEL ITB Berlin has created an exclusive networking platform. From 10pm till 1am tonight the first ITB Luxury Late Night will take place at Hotel Orania Berlin. Exhibitors and leading luxury buyers will exchange expertise and ideas ITB BERLIN NEWS • Thursday 8 th March 2018
