Hilton SPA expert to judge 2012 World Spa Awards

Dubai, UAE - 29 February, 2012: Sharon Barcock, Spa Operations & Development Director at Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa, has been specially invited to join the judging panel of The 2012 World Spa Awards, the most prestigious global awards for the spa industry.

The Hilton executive will join leading international spa professionals and experts to review and evaluate 29 shortlisted spas across ten geographic and sector specific categories. The ten winners will be announced at the grand final of the Awards to be held at the famous Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London, UK on 4 March 2012.

The 2012 World Spa Awards acknowledge spas and wellness professionals that excel at client service, innovation and provide a comprehensive menu of treatments and spa packages that are based on sound physiological and therapeutic principles. The Awards are presented to those who achieved the highest standards of spa operations based on vigorous criteria and mystery on-site visits.

Commenting on her appointment Sharon said: "The World Spa Awards are widely recognised as an honour spa operators aspire to win and I'm thrilled to be part of the 2012 selection panel."

A seasoned senior level spa professional with over 10 years experience, Sharon started her career in the UK before settling in Dubai where she has become one of the spa industry's most sought-after experts and a regional key player in the sector.

As part of the Hilton Worldwide global team, Sharon is charged with the design and launch of eforea: spa at Hilton, the company's innovative spa concept. Eforea: spa at Hilton was launched in 2010 and is now the world's fastest growing spa operation with over 100 new developments in the pipeline. In addition she is responsible for expanding Hilton's spa offer across the portfolio of hotels in Middle East & Africa and developing and enhancing on-site spa services, standards and best practice.

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About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,750 hotels and timeshare properties, with 615,000 rooms in 88 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, 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 the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.

Hilton Worldwide currently operates 53 Properties in the Middle East & Africa, totalling more than 15,500 rooms across 17 countries. There are 18 hotels in Egypt, one hotel and one convention centre in Jordan, eleven hotels in the UAE, six in Saudi Arabia and one each in Oman and Kuwait, plus another 12 hotels in Africa and 3 hotels in the Indian Ocean. Hilton Worldwide has a signed development pipeline of an additional 39 properties across Middle East & Africa in the U.A.E, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Uganda, Nigeria and Cape Verde.

For more information about the company, visit www.HiltonWorldwide.com or connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.HiltonWorldwideGlobalMediaCenter.com.