Global hotel chain Hilton has entered into a franchise agreement with ZAO Russkaya Kompaniya Razvitiya, a wholly-owned subsidiary of London & Regional group, to introduce the Doubletree by Hilton hotel product in Russia. This agreement forms part of a Strategic Development Alliance with the UK developer which is expected to introduce approximately 25 new hotels across Russia, encompassing selected brands within the Hilton Family of Hotels.
Global hotel chain Hilton has entered into a franchise agreement with ZAO Russkaya Kompaniya Razvitiya, a wholly-owned subsidiary of London & Regional group, to introduce the Doubletree by Hilton hotel product in Russia. This agreement forms part of a Strategic Development Alliance with the UK developer which is expected to introduce approximately 25 new hotels across Russia, encompassing selected brands within the Hilton Family of Hotels.
As part of the partnership, the first Doubletree by Hilton hotel is scheduled to open in the end of 2008 in Novosibirsk, Russia's third largest and fastest growing city. 'This announcement cements our intention and commitment to grow our presence in key strategic markets such as Russia, where we firmly believe there is huge potential for hotel growth in key cities across the country', said Wolfgang M. Neumann, president of Hilton Hotels - Europe.
Located some 3,000 km from the Russian capital, Novosibirsk is considered to be an important business hub, and has a population of over one million inhabitants. Occupying a prime location, just off the city's central Lenin Square, the newly-built Doubletree by Hilton Novosibirsk will offer 188 guest-rooms, and will form part of a mixed use development. The hotel will offer a bar and restaurant, a health club, as well more than 370m2 of flexible conference and meeting facilities, business centre and complimentary parking.
The announcement also reflects the further expansion of the Hilton Family of hotels across Russia. Hilton's first hotel in Russia will be the 275-room Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, which is scheduled to open in early May. The company also plans to debut its mid-priced brand Hilton Garden Inn in the Russian city of Perm by the end of the year. Throughout the next 10 years, Hilton anticipates it will open more than 70 hotels across Russia, not only focusing on Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also actively looking at opportunities in key regional cities.
