By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Ahead of this year’s MIPIM conference in Cannes, Hilton has announced new projects in France, following a franchise agreement with NAOS to introduce three hotels under three distinct brands.
Following an active year of development in 2016, Hilton now has a total pipeline of nine projects across France, which are expected add more than 1,000 rooms to its portfolio in coming years.
The confirmation of these three properties being developed with NAOS are expected to be the first of several announcements in coming months and are indicative of a multi-layered growth strategy across mid-market, upscale and collection brands that extends from the capital city of Paris out to key regional locations.
Together Hilton and NAOS will launch Hilton’s midscale Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton brands in France, at locations in Bordeaux and Clichy respectively. Central Paris will see a second hotel join Curio – A Collection by Hilton, a collection of upper upscale hotels, each with its own unique character and identity.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Hilton said: “Growing our portfolio in France is a strategic focus for Hilton.
With a dedicated French development team based in Paris and Nice we are focused on extending our portfolio beyond the flagship Hilton brand, we’re bringing new brands to Paris and key regional cities.
This agreement signals our commitment to work with key partners such as NAOS who can identify further opportunities for expansion.”
The three hotels will each be managed by NAOS, which already operates a portfolio of several properties across France. NAOS’s expertise lies within focused service projects and in carrying out creative adaptations of existing buildings to boutique hotels.
Pascal Lemarchand, CEO, NAOS said: “We are pleased to be able to confirm these three projects ahead of MIPIM.
“In Hilton we feel we have a strategic partner whose wide ranging portfolio enables us to fit the best brands to the sites and projects we specialise in developing.
“It is particularly exciting for us that we are launching two brands in France both of which have global footprints of thousands of properties, which underlines the potential for further growth.”
Aduragbemi Omiyale