Hilton Worldwide is focusing on the travel and tourism sectors as part of its expansion in Africa said Christopher J. Nasseta, President and Chief Executive of Hilton Worldwide on a visit to Ethiopia.
The CEO held talks on the company’s expansion plans with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on his first visit to Ethiopia last week.
Hilton has been in operation in Ethiopia for more than 50 years and the arrangement has been mutually beneficial to the hotel chain and to the country noted to Nasseta speaking to journalists after his meeting with the Prime Minister.
The number of Hilton hotels in Africa stands at just 33 which is a small number compared to the 4000 hotels across the world said Nasseta.The chain plans to increase the number of its hotels in Africa by construction 20 new hotels alongside its plans to expand into the other sectors he noted.
The expansion plans will include Ethiopia and the company is working on a range of negotiations not ready to be made public yet said Nasseta who did not disclose any figures in regards to Ethiopia at the time.
Hilton expects to focus primarily on the property that it has managed in Addis Ababa for the last half a century as that is a strategic asset he said.
The main competition to Hilton on the Ethiopian market are hotels like the Sheraton Addis and Radisson Blu according to Nasseta.
Hilton Worldwide runs 10 brands across the globe with a significant number of its assets situated in North and South America.
Source: Reporter