Hilton Worldwide leadership team visits Qatar

As Hilton Worldwide continues significant growth in the country, senior members of the EMEA leadership team visited Qatar to further underline the nation’s importance in the company’s wider regional strategic aspirations. Simon Vincent, President EMEA, Rudi Jagersbacher, President MEA and Turkey, and EssamAbouda, Vice President Arabian Peninsula and Turkey, Hilton Worldwide viewed new projects in the country, as well as met with Team Members at its existing and new hotels. These include: Hilton Doha and the recently opened Doubletree by Hilton Hotel – Old Town.

Commenting on Hilton’s position in the country, Simon Vincent said: “We have robust expansion plans across EMEA and Qatar is making an exciting contribution to our overall growth strategy in the region. This is an exciting period as we build on our established presence through our distinct high quality global brands – all of which are driving a powerful network effect and greater value for our customers and hotel owners alike.” Hilton Worldwide anticipates it will introduce four new brands into Qatar by2019: its two luxury brands Waldorf Astoria and Conrad, its award-winning Hilton Garden Inn brand and a Curio in Doha later this year.

When Al Rayyan Hotel Doha - Curio Collection by Hilton opens later this year it is expected to be the first Curio in the Middle East. These new properties will complement Hilton’s two existing hotels in Qatar. Rudi Jagersbacher, President MEA and Turkey, Hilton Worldwide, commented: “I am always impressed by the warm welcome I receive in Qatar and the country’s overwhelming hospitality. As one of the world’s commercial capitals and as Hilton Worldwide looks at a compelling expansion programme across the globe, Doha and the Middle East remain a critical part of our strategic regional growth plans.”

Qatar is seeing major growth to its infrastructure, in advance of the 2022 Football World Cup and its ambition to become a major hub for business, industry and tourism within the Middle East. With the nation’s tourism industry expected to reach $7.2 billion by 2025, based on forecasts of four million visitors by 2020, Doha has built an attractive business and leisure tourism offering, supported by Qatar Airways’ global connectivity to 150 destinations worldwide, with 18 new routes planned for 2016. Qatar’s capital city, Doha, has recently seen a huge investment in its transportation network, with the opening of a new Hamad International Airport and the development of a new metro Qatar Rail.