Hilton To Expand In Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE— Despite the slump in tourism, Hilton International confirmed expansion plans for the Asia Pacific region at a recent strategy meeting held here. Koos Klein, Hilton’s president for Asia Pacific, reported the company is proceeding with plans for another 14 properties, including 11 new hotels and three reflags. There are currently 36 Hilton International hotels operating in the Asia Pacific region. The mission is for Hilton to have presence in every destination its customers want to be in, and SARS or war has not changed this, Klein said. Two new hotels are slated to open in the second half of 2004 including the 580-room Hilton Sydney and the 500-room Hilton Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Klein reported. Hilton will also continue with its strategy to establish a network of resorts in the Asia Pacific , according to Klein.