Hilton Worldwide Marks Return To Tunisia With Signing Of Management Agreement For Hilton Hotel

283-Room Hilton Tunis Carthage Set To Open By Mid 2011 Features The Capital's Largest Meeting Facilities

This information originated in UK English.

September 28, 2010

DUBAI, U.A.E. and MCLEAN, Va. -  Hilton Worldwide has announced the signing of a management agreement with Société Touristique Tunisie Golfe for a Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Tunisia, Hilton Tunis Carthage.

A conversion property, the 283-room Hilton Tunis Carthage is expected to open its doors as a Hilton branded hotel by mid 2011. Located in the town of Tunis Gammarth overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and near the exclusive village of Sidi Bou Said, the hotel is a twenty minute drive from Tunis city centre and the international airport.

"We are excited to bring our style, world class service and directional approach to Tunisia Hilton is our company's flagship brand, and we are proud to welcome guests in capital cities around the world," said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.

"Our goal has always been to have a Hilton property in every capital city around the world, so we are delighted to have signed this management agreement with Société Touristique Tunisie Golfe marking our return to Tunis. It is also our first property in Tunisia and will give us an immediate presence in the country. The hotel is currently being rebranded to welcome our first Hilton guests by mid next year," said Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP Development, Hilton Worldwide, Europe & Africa.

The hotel promises guests a distinctive hospitality experience that has been the trademark of Hilton Hotels worldwide, and will feature 283 rooms, including 44 suites, three restaurants and a lounge bar. Leisure facilities will include two outdoor swimming pools, an indoor heated pool, beach, a Hilton Fitness by Precor centre, a spa, as well as traditional Hammam. Furthermore, Tunis' largest thalassotherapy centre is adjacent to the hotel (4000 sqm) and the brand new Gammarth golf course is only a five minute drive away. The hotel's meeting and banqueting facilities are the largest in Tunis, making the hotel a perfect conference venue. "said the newly appointed General Manager of Hilton Tunis Carthage, Olivier de Kermel.

Many major projects are being developed that will revolutionise Tunis' landscape including Tunis Sports City, Mediterranean City & Marina, and Al Maabar Roses City, boosting the economy and increasing the flow of business travel and investment. The number of visitors to Tunisia is forecasted to reach over 10 million by 2016.

"We wanted to work with a globally recognised hotel brand that matches our ambition to provide world-class hotel facilities and services. Hilton was a natural first choice. We a re delighted to be working together, and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship," said Belhassen  Trabelsi, President of the Karthago Group & Societe Touristique Tunisie Golfe.

Hilton Worldwide has a large brand footprint in Middle East & Africa with 44 hotels across 14 countries, and a further 27 under development.

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

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

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

One of the most recognized names in the industry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts stands as the stylish, forward thinking global leader in hospitality. From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history, closes the deal, toasts special occasions and gets away from it all. The flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of tomorrow's savvy global travelers while more than 144,000 Team Members shape experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Today, the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes more than 550 hotels in 79 countries and the brand remains synonymous with "hotel." Access the latest Hilton news at news.hilton.com or begin your journey at www.hilton.com. Social media users can engage with Hilton at www.twitter.com/hiltonhotels, www.facebook.com/hilton and www.youtube.com/hilton. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten market-leading brands.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered 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 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, 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®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.