While Hilton’s first Lebanon property in Beirut is set to open later this year with 162 rooms, the new-look Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa in Egypt will re-open in Q1 next year (2008) with 235 rooms. Further down the line, Hilton will make its foray into Jordan with Hilton Amman and Hilton Tala Bay Aqaba opening in Q1 and Q2 2009 respectively.

Hilton has a total signed pipeline of 11 properties in the Middle East, and a development goal of an additional 20 new signings over the next five years.

Meanwhile, Hilton Egypt saw revenues rise eight per cent year on year for Q1, RevPAR (revenue per available room) increased by ten per cent, and EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization) by 20 per cent - in comparison to 2006.

Tourism continues to drive income in Egypt with the GCC, Europe, USA and Japan as key source markets. This is estimated to touch 11 million tourists by 2011.

The integration of Hilton Hotels and Hilton International last year, has not only created the largest chain of hotels worldwide by profit, but has also opened up significant opportunities for growth and expansion across all brands within the Hilton Family.

Hilton’s current development pipeline, the largest ever, consists of signed contracts for 775 hotels totalling more than 110,000 rooms, of which 75 will be located outside the US.