Hilton's 10-year plan

The Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE: HLT) has unveiled a ten year plan that shows its intention to continue aggressive expansion in world markets, especially in the hot economies of India and China. The plan calls for Hilton to build a thousand new hotels in North America and another thousand worldwide, adding to the 2,800 they currently own. Hilton currently offers almost half-a-million beds in 80 countries under a variety of names reflecting different price points, from Hilton to Embassy Suites, Hampton, Doubletree, and more.

The company plans include expanding top-tier hotels under the Waldorf-Astoria and Conrad brands in places such as Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Mid-priced Hampton and Hilton Garden Inn brands will be pushed in North America, taking advantage of their lower development costs.

The company will affiliate with DLF in India to open 50 or more locations with that country. In China, they plan to work with RREEF and H&Q Asia Pacific to build 20 or more hotels.

This expansion program is already well under way, with over 750 hotels currently in development. Hilton properties will open in four new markets this year: Portugal, Poland, Ukraine and Russia.