Hilton, Marriott Expand Pipeline In Emerging Economies

Hilton Hotels Corp. today announced a development deal to bring 25 hotels to Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, while Marriott International detailed plans to open about as many hotels in China in the next three years.

Hilton struck its development deal with the United Kingdom-based Belgravia Asset Management Limited, through which Hilton will open and manage 25 midprice hotels, comprising 3,000 rooms, in the region under the Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn brands. The first will be a Hampton by Hilton in St. Petersburg, scheduled to open in the second quarter of next year.

"With the limited number of internationally branded properties in Russia, this anticipated alliance with Belgravia Financial Services Group will help us accelerate our growth plans and make a significant impact on the Russia hotel market in a relatively short space of time," Hilton chief executive of international operations Ian Carter said in a statement.

In June, Hilton announced a similar deal with London & Regional Properties Limited to develop 25 hotels—including the two midprice brands and upscale Hilton, Conrad and Doubletree hotels—in the region. Hilton aims to have 70 of its hotels open in Russia over the next 10 years.

Marriott, meanwhile, said today that it would have 11 hotels operating in Beijing by the summer of 2008, prior to the kickoff of the Olympics. In addition, it plans to have another 20 company-branded hotels in China by the end of 2010.