HILTON SELLS FRANCHISE IN INDIA

Hilton's Hampton brand will soon be opening in India, as the hotel chain franchises 16 hotels to India`s Marigold Hospitality, to be run under the Hampton by Hilton brand. Sites for the hotels are set to be secured by the middle of this year, with construction set to begin by year`s end. The first of the 16 properties to open is expected to do so in the next two years. It will be Marigold that will handle all the logistics and construction, with Hilton offering back up and advice on the ventures. Marigold Hospitality is reported to have invested between $200 and 250 million into the project. Hilton Hotels president for Asia Pacific Koos Klein says, “This is a great opportunity for us to get a foothold in the business hotel sector in India as one of the first international hotel companies to offer business travellers in India top quality focused service accommodation on the road. Through multi-unit deals like this, we are well positioned to cater to the growing demand for focused service hotels and tap the powerful economic growth and demographics in India. It is our goal to become a nationwide hotel company in India, across the market segments