20 per cent of students from the Award-winning virtual university are local nationals

Dubai, September 7, 2004: Over 200 students in the Gulf region have enrolled this year at Hilton University, the hospitality industry's most prestigious e-learning institution - a trebling of 2003 numbers. An average of ten courses a year are completed by each student, 20 per cent of whom are local nationals.

"Our team members become the people who run our business, so we are determined to invest in their skills, so that they can realise their full potential. Hilton University is a fantastic scheme which allows employees to learn at home and at work, for self improvement or to develop professionally and widen their career opportunities," said David LeMan, Hilton's Regional Director of Human Resources, Arabian Peninsula.

Hilton University is recognised as setting global standards for management development in the hospitality industry. It was recently awarded a prestigious Education and Training Award at the UK hospitality industry's equivalent of the Oscars - the Caterer and Hotelkeeper Awards.

Serving a growing number of employees ranging from hotel staff, team leaders, departmental managers and general managers in 70 countries, the primary focus of Hilton University has been the web-based delivery of core management and skills development aimed at maintaining world-class customer service throughout the Hilton International organisation.

Over 300 different e-learning courses are available for team members to access and complete at their own pace and time.  If they wish to learn while at work, "Learning Zones" and "Knowledge Rooms" have been set up in every hotel in the region. Since the e-university's launch in February 2002, Hilton employees have completed over 55,000 e-learning courses worldwide.

Courses range from general management, interpersonal skills, financial analysis, communication and sales techniques to desktop technology and specialised tutoring on food and beverages, as well as room service.

The e-learning courses are delivered in English, in order to increase international participation. The University is also offering English courses on-line, to help Hilton employees across the region learn or improve their English.

-Ends-

Notes to editor:
Hilton International currently operates 32 hotels in the Middle East - 18 hotels in Egypt, eight hotels in the UAE, three in Saudi Arabia and one each in Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. Hilton International (HI), an operating division of the UK based Hilton Group plc, owns the rights to the Hilton brand name throughout the world, with the exception of the USA. HI operates 394 hotels, with some 253 branded

Hilton, 46 of which are under the Hilton Worldwide Resorts brand, plus 141 under the mid-market Scandic brand. Under a joint venture agreement, Hilton International and the North American based

Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) share responsibility for the Conrad brand, which includes 16 hotels in 12 countries.  Hilton International Grand Vacations Club (HIGVC) operates 176 time ownership properties in Egypt and Scotland. Hilton International employs over 70,000 staff in over 70 countries. A global marketing alliance between Hilton International and Hilton Hotels Corporation extends the number of hotels operated by both companies worldwide to over 2,500 - over 500 of which are branded Hilton. Committed to doing business in a responsible way, Hilton International's aim is to bring a positive benefit to the societies in which it operates through high quality services, economic growth, environmental protection, community involvement and employment. For more information on Hilton Group and latest news, please visit the corporate website, at: www.hiltongroup.com

The Hilton Reservations Worldwide toll free numbers in the Middle East are as follows:

UAE                  - 800 4243                       Bahrain             - 800 299

KSA                  - 800 897 1405                 Qatar                - 080 097 103

Kuwait              - 482 3206                       Lebanon*           - 426 801

Jordan              - 0800 22250                   Syria*                - 0801

Oman               - 790 855

*When prompted by the automatic operator dial 877 525 1212, Fax + 9714 391 6794, email: meares@hilton.com

Hilton International Arabian Peninsula Press Office
Abeer Al Qadi/ Amal Akbar
ASDA'A Public Relations
Edelman exclusive Middle East affiliate
Tel: 971-4-3344550
Fax: 971-4-3344556
info@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2004