News Release

259-room Hilton Sharjah scheduled to open Q4 2011

DUBAI, U.A.E and MCLEAN, Va. (February 10, 2011): Hilton Worldwide announced today the signing of a management agreement with the Bin Otaiba Investment Group for a Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Sharjah, marking the company’s entry into the emirate. 
Scheduled to open in Q4 2011, the 259-room conversion property is conveniently situated on the Corniche Road, just 15 kilometers from the Sharjah International Airport and about 10 kilometers from Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.
“Sharjah’s versatile and dynamic tourism industry makes it a perfect fit for Hilton Hotels & Resorts. We’re looking forward to bringing our style, world-class service and forward-thinking approach to this exciting new venture in the UAE.” said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.

A landmark property in Sharjah, the hotel will feature four F&B outlets including an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants and a lobby lounge. To accommodate Sharjah’s strong meetings and conference demands, the hotel will have five boardrooms, one ballroom with a capacity for 400 and a business centre. Leisure facilities include a health club and two pools.

“Sharjah is unique in character and a buoyant new market for tourism in the UAE. It offers leisure travellers the opportunity to sample authentic Emirati culture as well as cultural havens such as its many museums and souks. The emirate’s proximity to Dubai means it is strategically close to one of the world’s gateway cities and its growing industrial stature makes it an attractive business tourism destination.” said Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide.

Hilton Sharjah will further strengthen Hilton Worldwide’s offering in the United Arab Emirates, joining the nine existing properties in the country: Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort, Hilton Dubai Creek, Hilton Abu Dhabi, Hilton Baynunah, Hilton Corniche Hotel Apartments, Hilton Al Ain, Hilton Fujairah Resort, Hilton Ras Al Khaimah and Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa. The DoubleTree by Hilton Ras al Khaimah, Conrad Dubai and Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach Residence are also in the development pipeline and due to open this year.

“With a growing number of international visitors Sharjah is poised to develop into a tourism destination catering to cultural, leisure and corporate segments and we’re pleased to join forces with Hilton Worldwide to take the tourism industry here to the next level. The new property will have the best facilities in the market and a prime location – adding the Hilton Hotels and Resorts flag will convert it into a city hot spot recognised by regional and international travellers alike,” stated HE Khalaf Bin Ahmad Al Otaiba. 

Hilton Worldwide has 44 hotels across 14 countries in the Middle East & Africa with another 31 properties in the pipeline.

1. The MA signing ceremony picture (from left – in the front)

Rudi Jagersbacher - President, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide.
HE Khalaf Bin Ahmad Al Otaiba
(from left – in the back)
Wagdi Hamdy - Advisor to the Chairman, Bin Otaiba Investment Group
Hamad Bin Khalaf Al Otaiba
Mohamed Bin Khalaf Al Otaiba

1. The MA signing ceremony picture (sitting - from left)

Rudi Jagersbacher - President, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide.
HE Khalaf Bin Ahmad Al Otaiba
(standing from left)
Richard Goesling – General Manager, Hilton Sharjah
Carlos Khneisser – Vice President, Development, Middle East, Hilton Worldwide.
Wagdi Hamdy - Advisor to the Chairman, Bin Otaiba Investment Group
Hamad Bin Khalaf Al Otaiba
Mohamed Bin Khalaf Al Otaiba
Mohan Krishan – CFO, Bin Otaiba Investment Group

About Hilton Hotels& Resorts
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader of hospitality that welcomes guests in more countries than any other full-service hotel brand. The Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand currently includes more than 530 hotels and resorts in 76 countries, and plans to serve travelers in 80 countries by the end of 2011. By offering innovative products, services and amenities, Hilton Hotels & Resorts enables travelers to be at their best 24/7, whether traveling for business or leisure. Start your journey at www.hilton.com. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten market-leading brands.

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 92 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 3,600 hotels and 600,000 rooms in 82 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, 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®.
The company currently operates 44 hotels in Middle East & Africa – 17 hotels in Egypt, nine hotels in the UAE, six in Saudi Arabia and one each in Oman and Kuwait, plus another 11 hotels in Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Hilton Worldwide has a signed development pipeline of an additional 31 properties across Middle East & Africa in the U.A.E, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda, Namibia, Nigeria and Cape Verde.

For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com and www.hiltondevelopment.com
The Hilton Reservations and Customer Care telephone numbers in the Middle East are as follows:

Contact:  
Emma Corcoran
Hilton Worldwide, Middle East
& Africa
+971 (0)4 365 4886
emma.corcoran@hilton.com

John Forrest Ales
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
+ 1 703 883 5212
johnforrest.ales@hilton.com