Latest news with #SparkByHilton
Zawya
30-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Hilton set to hit 100 hotels milestone in Saudi Arabia
Global hospitality major Hilton has announced that it is on track to operate and pipeline 100 hotels in Saudi Arabia this year – reaffirming its long-term commitment to growth across the kingdom. The global hospitality company continues to introduce more of its award-winning brands to the country, with 14 brands trading and in the pipeline, it stated. Hilton said as part of its growth strategy, it is set for multiple new signings with plans to add more than 21,000 rooms in locations across the country. The new signing marks the debut of Hilton's premium economy brand, Spark by Hilton, in the Middle East and Africa. Since its launch in 2023, Spark by Hilton has been at the forefront of innovation and is uniquely positioned to grow and scale quickly. Offering a simple, inspired design, comfortable guest rooms and a complimentary breakfast, the conversion-friendly, premium economy brand delivers reliable essentials and friendly service for every guest at an accessible price point. Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton said: "Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and we are proud to be playing a leading role in it becoming a top global tourism destination. The kingdom offers a unique blend of rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and modern lifestyle developments." "Our diverse portfolio – spanning luxury and lifestyle, through to premium economy and midscale brands – will help broaden the appeal for today's discerning travellers. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, our growing hotel pipeline is set to generate over 15,000 job opportunities, with a significant focus on employing Saudi nationals," he stated. Commenting on Hilton's momentum in the kingdom, Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said: "We are excited about reaching 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline in Saudi Arabia, as we continue to diversify our footprint and introduce more of our global brands across both established and emerging destinations." "Our continued partnership with Al Musbah Group is testament to this growth and our commitment to supporting private sector development in the Saudi tourism industry. We are proud to have Al Musbah Group as part of our highly valued ownership community and to be working with them to introduce the region's first Spark by Hilton in Makkah," he stated. "With two-thirds of our pipeline in Saudi Arabia already under construction, we look forward to continuing our work with new and existing owners to deliver more hotels at all price points for guests across the kingdom," he added. Spark by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah Spark by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah is set to open later this year, marking the brand's debut in the MEA region. The 329-guest room property will offer twin-bed and triple-bed guest rooms. Located to the east of Masjid Al Haram in Makkah's Aziziyah district, near the religiously significant area of Mina, a key site during Hajj with direct train access to Arafat, the hotel is ideally situated to serve pilgrims. The site is surrounded by commercial outlets and hotels that cater to religious travellers year-round. Developed by Al Musbah Group, Spark by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah is one of several Hilton projects underway with the group across Makkah, Madinah, and Dammam, it stated. "Spark by Hilton adds to Hilton's growing midscale presence across established and up-and-coming cities in the Kingdom, complementing existing brands such as Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, which together account for one-third of the company's hotel pipeline," remarked Khneisser. Recent signings include Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn properties in Jeddah, Jizan, and Abha, as well as at the NEOM Community site. In Makkah, Hilton is partnering with Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction Company to open the world's largest Hilton Garden Inn, featuring 1,560 guest rooms. Hilton has also partnered with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) to open the region's first Home2 Suites by Hilton in the Middle East in Madinah, alongside properties under the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton brands, he added. According to him, Hilton continues to bolster its luxury presence across the kingdom with its iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brands. These include a multi-property agreement at The Avenues - Riyadh, the Kingdom's largest mixed-use development, which will be home to a Waldorf Astoria and a Conrad, as well as a Waldorf Astoria in Diriyah Gate – one of Saudi Arabia's iconic giga-projects, and Madinah's first Waldorf Astoria. The company has also partnered with Rua Al Madinah Holding to open three hotels in the holy city including a luxury property under the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand, as well as with Dan Co, a PIF subsidiary, to open an LXR agritourism resort in Al Ahsa. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
29-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Hilton set to hit 100 hotels milestone in Saudi Arabia
Global hospitality major Hilton has announced that it is on track to operate and pipeline 100 hotels in Saudi Arabia this year – reaffirming its long-term commitment to growth across the kingdom. The global hospitality company continues to introduce more of its award-winning brands to the country, with 14 brands trading and in the pipeline, it stated. Hilton said as part of its growth strategy, it is set for multiple new signings with plans to add more than 21,000 rooms in locations across the country. The new signing marks the debut of Hilton's premium economy brand, Spark by Hilton, in the Middle East and Africa. Since its launch in 2023, Spark by Hilton has been at the forefront of innovation and is uniquely positioned to grow and scale quickly. Offering a simple, inspired design, comfortable guest rooms and a complimentary breakfast, the conversion-friendly, premium economy brand delivers reliable essentials and friendly service for every guest at an accessible price point. Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton said: "Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and we are proud to be playing a leading role in it becoming a top global tourism destination. The kingdom offers a unique blend of rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and modern lifestyle developments." "Our diverse portfolio – spanning luxury and lifestyle, through to premium economy and midscale brands – will help broaden the appeal for today's discerning travellers. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, our growing hotel pipeline is set to generate over 15,000 job opportunities, with a significant focus on employing Saudi nationals," he stated. Commenting on Hilton's momentum in the kingdom, Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said: "We are excited about reaching 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline in Saudi Arabia, as we continue to diversify our footprint and introduce more of our global brands across both established and emerging destinations." "Our continued partnership with Al Musbah Group is testament to this growth and our commitment to supporting private sector development in the Saudi tourism industry. We are proud to have Al Musbah Group as part of our highly valued ownership community and to be working with them to introduce the region's first Spark by Hilton in Makkah," he stated. "With two-thirds of our pipeline in Saudi Arabia already under construction, we look forward to continuing our work with new and existing owners to deliver more hotels at all price points for guests across the kingdom," he added. Spark by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah Spark by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah is set to open later this year, marking the brand's debut in the MEA region. The 329-guest room property will offer twin-bed and triple-bed guest rooms. Located to the east of Masjid Al Haram in Makkah's Aziziyah district, near the religiously significant area of Mina, a key site during Hajj with direct train access to Arafat, the hotel is ideally situated to serve pilgrims. The site is surrounded by commercial outlets and hotels that cater to religious travellers year-round. Developed by Al Musbah Group, Spark by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah is one of several Hilton projects underway with the group across Makkah, Madinah, and Dammam, it stated. "Spark by Hilton adds to Hilton's growing midscale presence across established and up-and-coming cities in the Kingdom, complementing existing brands such as Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, which together account for one-third of the company's hotel pipeline," remarked Khneisser. Recent signings include Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn properties in Jeddah, Jizan, and Abha, as well as at the NEOM Community site. In Makkah, Hilton is partnering with Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction Company to open the world's largest Hilton Garden Inn, featuring 1,560 guest rooms. Hilton has also partnered with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) to open the region's first Home2 Suites by Hilton in the Middle East in Madinah, alongside properties under the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton brands, he added. According to him, Hilton continues to bolster its luxury presence across the kingdom with its iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brands. These include a multi-property agreement at The Avenues - Riyadh, the Kingdom's largest mixed-use development, which will be home to a Waldorf Astoria and a Conrad, as well as a Waldorf Astoria in Diriyah Gate – one of Saudi Arabia's iconic giga-projects, and Madinah's first Waldorf Astoria.
Travel Daily News
29-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Spark by Hilton Winston-Salem University deploys Aptech's solution
Aptech launches PVNG Lite at Spark by Hilton Winston-Salem, offering independent hotels an efficient, tailored accounting solution to boost profitability. PITTSBURGH, PA – Aptech, a leading provider of scalable accounting, business intelligence, financial planning and management solutions for the hospitality industry, announces the deployment of its new PVNG Lite hotel accounting system at the Spark by Hilton Winston-Salem University in North Carolina. This milestone installation marks the beginning of a new chapter for independent and economy hotel operators seeking a powerful, hotel-specific alternative to generic accounting tools like QuickBooks. PVNG Lite is a streamlined version of Aptech's flagship PVNG platform, developed specifically for single-property operations that require essential accounting functions without the complexity or cost of enterprise-grade solutions. It includes modules for General Ledger and Accounts Payable, a robust financial dashboard, and flexible reporting capabilities – all within a modern, browser-based interface. 'PVNG Lite delivers the best of Aptech's 50 years of hospitality accounting experience in a solution that's purpose-built for hotels like Spark by Hilton,' said Jill Wilder, President at Aptech. 'We designed PVNG Lite to offer all the essential tools that single property accounting teams need – with none of the extras they don't – at a price that's accessible.' The 93-room Spark by Hilton Winston-Salem University opened in August 2024 following a full property renovation. It is owned by Wisdom Hotel LLC and operated by Wisdom Management LLC. The decision to implement PVNG Lite came at the recommendation of Ed Ghanami, a consultant with Professional Hotel Solutions, who had previously used Aptech's full PVNG system while managing hotels in Louisiana. 'Having worked with many of the major management companies and accounting systems in the industry, I can confidently say Aptech's solution stands out,' said Ghanami. 'PVNG Lite is efficient, intuitive, and provides the financial insights our team needs to improve profitability – especially the ability to drill down into expenses and income by market segment. The Aptech team made implementation smooth and successful, as always.' As a new brand in the Hilton portfolio, Spark by Hilton offers a premium economy experience focused on value, reliability, and comfort. The Winston-Salem property is strategically located just minutes from Wake Forest University and downtown, catering to both business and leisure travelers. This successful PVNG Lite deployment signals Aptech's continued commitment to supporting hotel operators of all sizes with scalable, industry-specific technology that evolves with their business.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Hilton announces debut of Spark by Hilton in MEA
Hilton has announced the signing of Spark by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah in partnership with Al Musbah Group, marking the debut of the premium economy brand in Saudi Arabia. Expected to open later this year, the new signing bolsters Hilton's continued growth in the Kingdom and strengthens its presence in one of the region's most dynamic markets. With this addition, Hilton remains on track to reach its milestone of 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline across Saudi Arabia this year. Strategically located to the east of Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah's Aziziyah district, near the religiously significant area of Mina and with direct train access to Arafat, Spark by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah is ideally situated to serve pilgrims. The site is surrounded by commercial outlets that cater to religious travellers year-round. Mohammed Almusbahi, Director, Al Musbah Group, said, 'We are delighted to partner with Hilton to introduce the region's first Spark by Hilton in Makkah. As the Kingdom's hospitality industry continues to evolve, driven by Saudi Vision 2030, we are committed to supporting this growth by delivering a wide range of hotels to meet the diverse needs of travellers. We look forward to welcoming visitors and pilgrims to the heart of the holy city.' Spark by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah will feature 329 guest rooms, combining comfort and quality with a simple, inspired aesthetic. Staying true to the Spark by Hilton brand promise, the hotel will deliver reliable essentials and friendly service for every guest at an accessible price point. Facilities will include a welcoming social space, complimentary breakfast, and separate male and female prayer halls. Commenting on Hilton's momentum in the Kingdom, Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said, 'We are excited about reaching 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline in Saudi Arabia, as we continue to diversify our footprint and introduce more of our global brands across both established and emerging destinations. Our continued partnership with Al Musbah Group is testament to this growth and our commitment to supporting private sector development in the Saudi tourism industry. We are proud to have Al Musbah Group as part of our highly valued ownership community and to be working with them to introduce the region's first Spark by Hilton in Makkah. With two-thirds of our pipeline in Saudi Arabia already under construction, we look forward to continuing our work with new and existing owners to deliver more hotels at all price points for guests across the Kingdom.' Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Skift
06-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Hilton CEO's 10x Plan for India: 30 Hotels Today, 300 in a Decade
India is not an easy market and global brands have made numerous mistakes along the way. But it's too big a customer base to ignore. Hilton said Tuesday it plans to grow its presence in India by 10 times over the next 10 years. Right now, Hilton has 32 hotels up and running in India, with 29 more in the works. Over the next couple of years, the company plans five new Hilton brands will launch in the country. That starts this year with the Curio Collection by Hilton in Bengaluru and the first Signia by Hilton in Jaipur. More high-end offerings are also on the way, including LXR Hotels & Resorts in Bengaluru in 2026 and Waldorf Astoria in Jaipur by 2028. India will be the first market in Asia Pacific to debut Hilton's entry-level brand - Spark by Hilton. Hilton has plans for 150 Spark properties in India with the first one coming up in Goa. 'There's no market with more opportunity and higher growth than India,' Hilton's President and CEO Christopher Nassetta said during the Hilton Brand Showcase in Bengaluru on Tuesday. 'What's been happening in the hospitality market in India over the last 20 years and what will happen in the next 20, there's no other market that has more opportunity. The Mid-Market Boom Focus While luxury hotels are part of Hilton's expansion, the real focus is on India's fast-growing middle class. Nassetta summed it up plainly: 'The mid market is where the game really is.' This is where brands like Spark by Hilton and Hampton by Hilton come into play. Skift had earlier reported that Hilton has signed an agreement with Indian hotel management company NILE Hospitality to introduce 75 Hampton by Hilton properties across the country. There is currently just one Hampton by Hilton property in India, located in Vadodara. Spark, a newer addition to the Hilton family, sits in the premium economy space and is growing fast. 'The potential for a Spark in this market is into thousands of hotels… the potential is much much greater,' Nassetta said. Hilton's strategy is to offer something for every kind of traveler — from budget-conscious to high-end luxury. 'It's fairly easy to figure out what brand makes sense,' Nassetta explained. 'It really is driven by what the customer wants and what the customer will pay for… Spark will work in primary cities, primary resorts, secondary and tertiary type of locations because the rate structure of it, is such.' Hilton is also exploring new lifestyle-focused brands. After acquiring NoMad, the first deal was signed for Singapore's Orchard Road, but India is on the radar too. When asked if NoMad has a place in India, Nassetta was clear: 'Absolutely.' India's Changing Travel Landscape More than 100 million people are expected to join India's consumer class in the next five years, and the country's roads, airports, and train networks are expanding quickly. 'The infrastructure build happening in India is giving India a real momentum in the travel tourism space,' said Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton. 'The Indian hospitality space is exploding on the back of that infrastructure.' By expanding into tier 1 cities, major resort destinations, and also tier 2 and 3 towns, Hilton hopes to build a loyal customer base that sticks with them globally. Lessons from India Hilton's path in India hasn't been easy. 'India for us has been a hard road, harder than almost any other market on earth… there were times where we did not have the right partners or the right type of hotels or locations,' said Nassetta. However, things have changed now and he believes that the company has now hit its stride. 'I think we now have spectacular partners, locations, and hotels,' he said. 'That's why you're seeing this momentum pick up.' Recent partnership deals have helped build a strong pipeline. 'These are real deals happening and not a pipe dream,' the Hilton CEO stressed. As Nassetta put it, 'We're not going anywhere… There is no going backwards.' What am I looking at? The performance of hotels and short-term rental sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets, including international and regional hotel brands, hotel REITs, hotel management companies, alternative accommodations, and timeshares. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more hotels and short-term rental financial sector performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
