Hilton Worldwide Grows its Footprint in Japan with DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle
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TOKYO and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) and DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the signing of a management agreement with Ryukyu Hotel Resort Naha Co., Ltd to re-brand Hotel Nikko Naha Grand Castle and to manage the hotel as DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle. When the converted DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle opens in July 2016, it will be Hilton Worldwide's 13th operating hotel in Japan.
"The signing of DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle closely follows the success of Hilton Tokyo Odaiba and marks another important milestone in our expansion across key destinations in Japan. It demonstrates the strong relationship we have with our partners, as well as our commitment to growing our presence in this market where we have been operating for more than 50 years," said Andrew Clough, senior vice president, development, Middle East & Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle will be Hilton Worldwide's third operating hotel in Okinawa, adding to its existing hotels in Okinawa including Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort and DoubleTree by Hilton Naha. Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, a tourism-driven region that is enjoying a steady growth in international visitor arrivals, supported by the government's tourism promotion campaigns, visa deregulation, favorable exchange rates and an increase in flights and cruise ships. The number of international visitors expected to top 10 million by 2021, which translates to 1 trillion yen in tourism income. The number of domestic visitors is also growing. When the second runway at Naha Airport is completed in 2020, the increased capacity is projected to boost the growth of domestic arrivals from a 1% annually to 7%.
"The DoubleTree by Hilton brand continues to enjoy strong resonance and growth in Asia Pacific, and we are happy to be strengthening our presence in Okinawa following the success of the DoubleTree by Hilton Naha - the brand's first hotel in Japan," said Dianna Vaughan, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. "Japan is well known for its service culture and we're confident that guests staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle will be delighted by the brand's award-winning friendly service culture - starting with the warm chocolate chip cookie welcome at check-in."
Located at the top of Shuri Hill in Okinawa's capital city of Naha, DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle is adjacent to the tourist attraction of Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the residence of royalty. Other historical and cultural sites, as well as the city's most popular shopping and entertainment districts of Kokusai-Dori (about three kilometers) and Makishi Marketplace (about two kilometers), are also less than a 15-minute walk (about 800 meters) from the hotel. DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle is accessible by monorail and also served by Naha Airport, located about seven kilometers away.
"Hilton Worldwide's global reputation as a leading hospitality company and its intimate knowledge of the Japanese market will give DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle a significant competitive edge that will deliver a strong performance," said Tatsuaki Makino, Representative Director of Ryukyu Hotel Resort Naha Co., Ltd.
The 20-story DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle will have 333 rooms that offer panoramic views of the city. The hotel will have two specialty restaurants, an all-day dining restaurant, a lounge and a bar. DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle will also offer 1,728 square meters of meeting space, including a 568-square meter ballroom and a chapel for weddings. Recreational facilities will include an outdoor swimming pool.
Media can access more information on DoubleTree by Hilton at www.doubletree.com and news.doubletree.com.
About DoubleTree by Hilton
DoubleTree by Hilton is a fast-growing, global portfolio of more than 560 upscale hotels with more than 130,000 rooms across six continents. Over the past 50 years, DoubleTree by Hilton has maintained its philosophy that it’s the little things that make a big difference, from welcoming guests with its signature, warm DoubleTree Cookie, to serving the local community. Thanks to the dedication of its Team Members, DoubleTree by Hilton ensures the absolute best experiences for guests and continues to be a symbol of comfort through contemporary accommodations and amenities, including unique food and beverage experiences, state-of-the-art fitness offerings, and meetings and event spaces. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. To make reservations, travelers may visit doubletree.com. Connect with DoubleTree by Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Learn about the latest brand news at newsroom.hilton.com/doubletree.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 17 world-class brands comprising more than 5,700 properties with more than 923,000 rooms, in 113 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2018 world’s best workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its 100-year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, more than 89 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy, plus enjoy instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
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Audrey Wong
Hilton Worldwide - Asia Pacific
+65 6833 9763
Christine Miller
Hilton Worldwide - Global
+1 901 374 6462