The travel industry is bouncing back from COVID-19 setbacks, and Hilton has the 2021 company achievements to prove it as highlighted in a recent press release.
Building upon its world-renowned reputation has included milestones like opening 414 properties and adding more than 67,100 rooms to its system this year and, for the future, planning the development of 2,670 hotels and 408,000 rooms.
“After a year of recovery and growth, it has been incredible to witness the resiliency of the travel industry and our team’s ability to embrace change while serving more guests in more hotels around the world,” Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta said in the release. “We believe the desire to travel, experience new cultures and connect with others is core to the human experience. I can speak for all of us at Hilton when I say we’re looking forward to welcoming our guests and helping them make new memories in 2022.”
With corporate offices in Virginia, the company ended the year with partnerships across 18 brands in six continents, accomplishing a 5.6% unit growth, the release said.
“Hilton’s development continues to be a key performance indicator of how well-positioned we are for the long-term,” Kevin Jacobs, CFO and president, Hilton global development, said. “Hotel owners choose to work with us because of our premium commercial performance. With our capital-light business model, we strive to maximize net unit growth, while continuing to deliver value for all our stakeholders.”
Other milestones for the company include expanding its name in Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., the Caribbean and Latin America, and fortifying its presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Brazil.
In addition, Hilton is working to meet the changing needs of travelers with programs like Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton and Hilton Honors Digital Key Share, as well as an expansion in pet-friendly options.