08 June 2015
- Hilton Worldwide Set To More than Double Presence in Dubai With Eight Mid-Market Additions -

Dubai - Hilton Worldwide - the world's fastest-growing hospitality company -and wasl hospitality and leisure, a subsidiary of wasl Asset Management Group,today announced agreements to open a further two mid-market hotels in Dubai, Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Mina and Hilton Garden Inn Bur Dubai.

A delegation of Hilton Worldwide executives, led by Simon Vincent, EVP and President, EMEA for Hilton Worldwide recently visited the wasl asset management group offices to sign these two latest agreements withMr Hesham Al Qassim, CEO, wasl Asset Management Group and Mustafa Al Hashimi, CEO Hospitality & Leisure, wasl Asset Management Group. This comes after the recent announcement of the arrival of Hampton by Hilton to the Middle East with the signing of the region's first hotel for the mid-market brand in Dubai's Al Qusais.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East and Africa for Hilton Worldwide, said, "These latest signings will add to our rapidly increasing footprint in Dubai, which is expected to more than double in the next few years with primarily mid-market hotels. Travellers to the UAE are increasingly looking for a diverse range of accomodation options, be it luxury, upscale or mid-market - and with theopening of Hilton Garden Inn in Dubai this year, we are delighted to be offering yet more options."

Hilton Garden Inn Bur Dubaiwill feature 292 guest rooms and be located in a prime area of Dubai Creek, within walking distance of the popular tourist attraction, Souk Al Kabeer. Facing the bustling Creek waterway, one of Dubai's most vibrant areas, the hotel will feature two food and beverage outlets; a large multi-functional meeting room; 24-hour business center and Pavilion Pantry; as well as a swimming pool and health club.

Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Mina,the second Hampton by Hilton to be agreed for Dubai,will be conveniently located near Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai Creek and the emirate's Port Rashid. The property will feature 206 guest rooms, with breakfast area, a bar and gathering zone, agym and swimming pool.

"With the arrival of Hilton Garden Inn this year in Al Mina and Al Muraqabat, we are delighted to be adding a further two properties to our growing portfolio with Hilton Worldwide," said Mr Hesham Al Qassim, CEO, wasl Asset Management Group, parent company of wasl hospitality and leisure. "We believe there is significant opportunity for the growth of the mid-market segment in Dubai and by working with Hilton, a leader in the industry, more and more travelers will be able to experience award winning Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton hospitality." 

Hilton Garden Inn Bur Dubai and Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Mina are both expected to open in early 2019, adding almost 500 additional rooms to Dubai's mid-market inventory.

Phil Cordell, global head, focused service and Hampton brand management, Hilton Worldwide, said, "Having recently announced the world's largest Hampton in Dubai, we are thrilled to be confirming two additional focused-service projects for the UAE, which adds to our fast-growing portfolio of Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton hotels in the Middle East & Africa. Our award-winning brands deliver exceptional hospitality to travellers in the mid-market segment, with more and more guests counting on the value and service on offer."

In the Middle East, Hilton Garden Inn will make its Dubai debut in 2015  with the opening of hotels in Al Mina and Al Muraqabat, joining Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya, which is already welcoming guests, and Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Mall of the Emirates, which is expected to open in early 2016. Hampton by Hilton now features two properties under development in Dubai - joining more than 150 hotels trading or under development under a Hilton Worldwide brand in the Middle East & Africa.

-Ends-

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 95 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,350 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 720,000 rooms in 94 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, flickr.com/hiltonworldwide, and linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

About wasl Asset Management Group
wasl Asset Management Group, one of the largest real estate management companies in Dubai, was established by the Dubai Real Estate Corporation (DREC) in 2008 to oversee the management of its assets and grow its real estate portfolio. Through its three subsidiaries; wasl properties, waslhospitality& leisure and dubai golf; wasl operates in various real estate, lifestyle, leisure, hospitality, and business sectors. wasl's main objective is to strengthen Dubai's position as the premier hub to live and work in and at the same time be the ultimate destination for tourists. For further information please visit: www.wasl.ae

About wasl hospitality & leisure
wasl hospitality & leisure manages a portfolio of several hotels and over 3,300 rooms. The Dubai-based portfolio includes five hotels under the Hyatt Hotels Corporation - the award-winning Grand Hyatt Dubai, Hyatt Regency Dubai, Park Hyatt Dubai, Hyatt Place and the recently launched Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights; and five under Starwood Hotels and Resorts including Le Méridien Dubai, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, Le Méridien Fairway and Le Royal Club in addition to JumeirahZabeelSaray and the Westin Dubai Beach Resort & Marina.

wasl hospitality & leisure also owns the Novo Cineplex movie theatre complex located adjacent to the Grand Hyatt in Dubai and acts as the Owner's representative to oversee the management of Dusit Thani Dubai hotel.

CONTACT:
Dan Corfield
Hilton Worldwide - MEA
dan.corfield@hilton.com
+971(0)564161323

Tariq Al Sharabi
For wasl hospitality
Tariq@cbpr.me
+971(0)43342966

Christine Miller
Hilton Worldwide - Global
christine.miller@hilton.com
+1 901 374 6462

© Press Release 2015