Management License Agreement extended to open more than 600 hotels by 2034

MCLEAN, Va., SINGAPORE and SHANGHAI, Dec. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and Jin Jiang International today announced the extension of the Hampton by Hilton management license agreement, extending the contract until 2034 to create a network of more than 600 Hampton by Hilton hotels in China.

In a virtual ceremony, Chris Nassetta (President and CEO), Alan Watts (President, Asia Pacific), Qian Jin (Area President, Greater China & Mongolia), Alexandra Jaritz (SVP, Brand Management), Lynette Lim (SVP & Assistant General Counsel), and Matt Fry (SVP, Development), joined the signing ceremony from McLean, Singapore and Shanghai.

Jin Jiang International was represented by Yu Minliang (Chairman of Jin Jiang International), Zhang Xiaoqiang (Vice President of Jin Jiang International, Chairman & CEO of Jin Jiang Hotels China Region), Zhou Wei (Vice President of Jin Jiang International, Head of Jin Jiang Global Innovation Center) from Shanghai. Wang Wei (Executive Vice President of Jin Jiang Hotels China Region, President of Shenzhen Headquarter, and CEO of Hampton by Hilton China) joined from Shenzhen.

The exclusive license agreement between Hilton and Plateno (now part of Jin Jiang Hotel China Region) was first signed in 2014 to tap into the potential of China's mid-scale hotel market. Building on the original 10-year partnership that has cemented Hampton by Hilton as a leading focused-service brand in China, this extension marks a strengthened cooperation between Hilton and Jin Jiang International, the largest hotel group in China, as they launch a new phase of joint development in an ambitious plan to operate over 600 Hampton by Hilton hotels in China.

With the growing demand in this hotel segment fueled by the expansion of the middle-class and overall upgraded consumption capacity of Chinese consumers, the 155thHampton by Hilton hotel in China opened in Beijing on Dec.7th. The license extension is expected to help Hampton by Hilton maintain its edge in the highly competitive mid-scale hotel sector in Hilton's top priority market, China.

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"I'm thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Jin Jiang International and the entire Hampton by Hilton team in China," said Chris Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton. "China is an incredibly important market for Hilton, and the Hampton by Hilton brand has had huge success with the team sharing our signature hospitality with travelers at hundreds of hotels throughout the country. We look forward to building on this foundation and growing the brand together in China for years to come."

Yu Minliang, Chairman of Jin Jiang International commented, "Jin Jiang and Hilton are good partners of mutual trust and have had long-term friendly and in-depth cooperative relations in China and around the world. To renew the Hampton by Hilton brand MLA is of special significance, which fully reflects the firm confidence of both parties in the future recovery and revitalization of the global hotel industry. The joint efforts of the two teams are highly appreciated. I believe that the cooperation will definitely bear new fruits and become a new model of cooperation for the global industry."

"Hampton and Jin Jiang International set the benchmark for transnational hotel group cooperation in the China market. With an unprecedented strategy for the past six years, it has achieved a level of success beyond our expectations, thanks to the unwavering support from both sides," said Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton. "Following the landmark progress in this strategic partnership, we are delighted to deepen our relationship with Jin Jiang and further elevate and expand Hampton by Hilton in this key market."

Qian Jin, President for Greater China & Mongolia, Hilton remarked, "After nearly 10 years of rapid development, the mid-end hotel market is welcoming a new golden era. Hilton is honored to take on the challenge to meet new demands by putting forward higher requirements on brand quality and cost value. Over the years, Hampton by Hilton has exemplified Hilton's localization strategy in China as the brand has won trust and recognition from both customers and stakeholders. We are confident in Hampton by Hilton's prospects and believe this extension will facilitate our 2025 development goals in China in terms of brand growth, customer loyalty and reputation."

Mr. Zhang Xiaoqiang, Vice President of Jin Jiang International, Chairman and CEO of Jin Jiang Hotels China Region said, "We are very pleased to continue the long-term cooperation with Hilton. The successful development of Hampton by Hilton in China is a perfect interpretation of a win-win cooperation between two of the world's top hotel groups, demonstrating Hilton's leading brand influence in the global market and Jin Jiang International's strong operation strength and market development advantages. The in-depth cooperation between the two sides is bound to bring new vitality and opportunities for Hampton by Hilton's rapid development in China and help it continue to lead the upper-midscale hotel market. "

Ms. Wang Wei, Executive Vice President of Jin Jiang Hotels China Region, President of Shenzhen Headquarters, and CEO of Hampton by Hilton China, said: "After six years of development, Hampton by Hilton has established a distinctive brand image in China market and is deeply loved by owners and guests. With the close cooperation and strong support of the two hotel groups, the Hampton by Hilton China team will continue to focus on creating high-quality products and services and deepening the brand influence in China."

To date in China, there are 155 open Hampton hotels with over 350 in the development pipeline.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,300 properties with nearly one million rooms, in 118 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world's most hospitable company, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2020 World's Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2019 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. In 2020, Hilton CleanStay was introduced, bringing an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection to hotels worldwide. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 110 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy, plus enjoy instant benefits, including contactless 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.

About Jin Jiang International

Jin Jiang International is one of the largest travel and hospitality groups in China and is one of the leading hotel brands in the global industry. The core businesses are hotel management & investment, tourist services & transport, and logistics services. Jin Jiang International manages and franchises a broad portfolio of more than 10,000 hotels and resorts with over 1.08 million rooms in 120 countries and regions. Jin Jiang International has more than 150 million members worldwide. In 2020, it ranks 1st in Asia and 2nd among all hotel giants byHotelsMagazine. Jin Jiang International has a portfolio of over 40 brands from Luxury, Mid-scale to Innovative brands such as "J", "Yan Garden", "Jin Jiang", "Kunlun", "Radisson Collection", "Radisson Blu", "Royal Tulip", "Golden Tulip", "Metropolo", "Campanile", "Lavande", "Vienna International" and more, which provide mixed oriental-western experience to guests globally. For more information, please visit http://www.jinjiang.com or download the app "Jin Jiang Hotels".

About Hampton by Hilton

As the number one ranked lodging franchise for the last decade and one of the top five brands of the century, according to Entrepreneur, Hampton by Hilton including Hampton Inn by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton serves quality-driven and value-conscious travelers at more than 2,600 properties in 29 countries and territories. The brand continues to lead its segment by providing guests with high-quality, thoughtfully designed accommodations and amenities, such as modern and spacious rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and free hot breakfast. Hampton by Hilton Team Members are committed to delivering exceptionally friendly and authentic service all backed by the 100% Hampton GuaranteeTM. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. For more information about Hampton by Hilton, visit http://www.hampton.com or newsroom.hilton.com/hampton, and connect on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

SOURCE Hilton

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Hilton and Jin Jiang International Extend Cooperation to Launch Next Chapter of Hampton by Hilton's Accelerated China Development - Yahoo Finance