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Hilton plans to double its portfolio in Portugal: read the exclusive interview of David Kelly on Mercan Hotels for the upcoming year
International Chain Prepares to Open New Hotels in Comporta, Algarve, and Lisbon AirportPortugal has become a focal point in Hilton's expansion plans, with the multinational aiming to double its portfolio in the country from the current 12 to 24 hotels within the next two years, adding over 2,000 rooms to the existing capacity.
"We see tremendous opportunity in Portugal, with the significant growth in tourism demand, particularly in Lisbon, where hotels are reaching occupancy levels seen in cities like Paris, Rome, or Barcelona," emphasizes David Kelly, Hilton's Senior Vice President for Continental Europe. He highlights that Lisbon is increasingly establishing itself as a popular destination for U.S. clients due to the availability of more direct flights.
The leap that Portugal represents in Hilton's expansion plans is evident from the fact that "10 years ago, we had only two hotels in the country, and now we are talking about 24," Kelly notes. "With tourism growing so strongly in Portugal, it's very positive to see that we are also achieving good representation across our brand diversity," adds the executive.
Hilton is preparing to open new hotels in Portugal in 2025 and 2026, in Lisbon, Algarve, and south of Comporta, according to David Kelly's announcement to Expresso. Next year, the group will open the Santo André Beach Hotel, featuring 44 rooms under the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand, marking the first international hotel brand entering the Comporta region.
"It will be a fantastic hotel in Santo André, facing the beach, with a perfect blend of surrounding nature. We are often the first international brand to enter a new destination, and we take pride in continuing this legacy in Comporta. We always go where the opportunities exist," emphasizes the Vice President of Hilton in Europe. "This new hotel in Comporta is generating great interest among our teams, who are always asking when it will open," adds Carlos Miró, General Director of Development at Hilton for Spain and Portugal.
Located near the Santo André and Sancha lagoons, Hilton's new Comporta hotel is the result of a franchise agreement with Mercan Properties, the property's owner. Hilton also signed a similar agreement for a new hotel in Lisbon, located in the office area near Lisbon Airport. The DoubleTree by Hilton Lisbon Airport will have 199 rooms and 20 suites, with an expected opening in 2025.
In the Algarve, the group is preparing to have five hotels in the short term, including projects for a Hilton in Alvor and a Curio Collection brand unit near Lagos Marina. "We are significantly increasing our resort portfolio; in 2024, we will open 10 in southern Europe, and we maintain this growth pipeline," adds David Kelly, highlighting that there are "still many brands to develop in a beautiful and diverse country like Portugal, and we continue to seek opportunities."
Hilton is undergoing a rapid expansion phase like never before in its history. "We are growing extremely quickly globally, opening a hotel every day," notes David Kelly. With a current portfolio of 7,626 hotels worldwide, Hilton plans to open an additional 3,375 hotels, adding a record 472,000 rooms. Hilton's financial results are fueling the group's accelerated expansion plans. In the first quarter of 2024, the multinational reported earnings of $268 million (approximately €247 million) and operational results of $750 million (€691 million), maintaining forecasts for continued high tourism despite global turbulence.
In Europe, where Hilton is preparing to open another 245 hotels, David Kelly anticipates "continued strong growth in 2024." "We had the football championship in Germany and now the Olympics in Paris, and it's very important that these major events continue to take place in European cities," asserts the senior vice president of the group.
In Portugal, Hilton currently employs 800 people. "We are extremely excited about our presence in Portugal and the country's tourism growth. We see a wonderful opportunity here. We are doubling our portfolio and not stopping there; we want to keep growing."
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