Hilton claims lead in room supply, pipeline race

Hilton Worldwide added more than 36,000 rooms in 28 countries and territories (net of removals), representing growth of 6%, in 2014, its first full year of operations since it went public.

The company claims it is now the number one hospitality group in terms of rooms in supply, rooms under construction and development pipeline.

Hilton Worldwide president and CEO Christopher J. Nassetta commented: "Our goal is to serve our guests anywhere in the world, for any lodging need they have.

“Our success is reflected in our unprecedented growth and development of new hotels in all areas of the world, as well as launching category-defining brands that owners and guests prefer, driving cutting-edge digital innovation and advancing our extensive corporate responsibility commitments."

In 2014, Hilton Worldwide expanded its pipeline in the Middle East and Africa by more than 20% to nearly 25,000 total rooms. The firm also continued to build its pipeline in Europe, which is now at nearly 30,000 rooms.

The Asia Pacific pipeline grew by more than 15% to 60,000 rooms and the company signed an exclusive agreement with Plateno Hotels Group to develop more than 400 Hampton by Hilton hotels in China.

The firm approved more than one deal per day in the Americas and increased its US pipeline by nearly 30% to nearly 100,000 rooms and opened its 100th hotel in Canada.

In 2014, Hilton Worldwide approved more than 500 deals (80,000 rooms) with no acquisitions or major investments, and it also entered Ukraine, Myanmar and Kazakhstan, expanding the company’s reach to 94 countries and territories.

The company’s pipeline increased by 35,000 guest rooms in 2014 and includes more than 1350 hotels and nearly 230,000 rooms in 79 countries and territories.

More than half of the rooms in this pipeline are already under construction, and all are in the company's capital-light management and franchise segment.

Including all agreements approved but not yet signed, Hilton Worldwide's pipeline totals approximately 245,000 guest rooms, which the firm claims is more than any other hospitality company.

In 2014, Hilton Worldwide also introduced two new brands in 2014: Curio – A Collection by Hilton, and Canopy by Hilton.

Unveiled in June, Curio is a collection of independent hotels under the Hilton umbrella. Curio – A Collection by Hilton already has five Curios are opened and 15 LOUs are signed.

Canopy by Hilton debuted in October and aims to “redefine lifestyle” with an accessible proposition at an upper upscale price point.
Hilton Worldwide currently has 12 brands and 4,300 properties that drive a global RevPAR index premium of 15%. These comprise more than 715,000 rooms and serve more than 139 million guests annually.

Hilton Worldwide's number of rooms under construction globally makes up 18.7% of the industry's total rooms under construction, which is more than four times the number of the company's current share of open rooms.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. raised US $2.35 billion in a record initial public offering for a lodging company in December 2013.

Private-equity firm Blackstone Group, owner of Hilton Worldwide since acquiring it for $26 billion in 2007 took advantage of US stocks near highs and a rebound in the hotel market to take the company public.