Hilton maps out expansion blueprint in China

Hilton Hotels Corp, the leading global hotel chain company, said on Tuesday it will double its portfolio in China in the coming few months through introducing new hotel brands.

It aims to extend its presence in China to 12 within the year and raise the number to 26 by 2011, said Timothy Soper, vice president for operations in China and Mongolia.

In addition to the five-star Hilton hotel, it will introduce Conrad, mid-end brand Hilton Garden Inn and luxury brand "The Doubletree" into China market.

Second-tiers cities such as Haikou, Chengdu, Kunshan, Dongguan, Shi Jiazhuang will be its next expansion targets besides top cities like Beijing and Shanghai, according to Soper.

Hilton Garden Inn and The Doubletree by Hilton will be the two key brands in line with its China expansion strategy. They will be operated under franchised style.

The World Travel & Tourism Council recently forecast that personal travel and tourism in China would grow at 11% annually between 2008 and 2017. Global events such as the Beijing Olympics in August and the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 would lead to a booming demand in the hospitality sector.