Hilton has experienced a year of expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region. In 2023, the company opened 19 new hotels and added approximately 4,000 rooms, the largest room growth in the region in Hilton's history.
The hospitality company attributed its success to a strategic focus on bringing the right hotels to the right destinations at the right time, in partnership with owners.
Hilton's CALA portfolio now includes 220 hotels and more than 40,000 rooms across 15 brands and 29 countries and territories.
Pipeline for 2024
Hilton's growth momentum in the region is expected to continue in 2024, with a robust pipeline of 110 properties. This includes first-in-market openings for several brands, such as the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Cacique and the Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Key drivers of growth
Several factors have contributed to Hilton's accelerated growth in CALA.
Conversions accounted for more than 40% of the openings in 2023, with highlights including the Hilton Mendoza in Argentina and the Hilton San Salvador in El Salvador.
New build hotels were strategically added in locations such as Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort, Hilton Garden Inn La Romana in the Dominican Republic and Hilton Monterrey in Mexico.
The all-inclusive segment has also been a catalyst for growth, with Hilton signing and opening resorts such as the Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico and The Rif at Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao All-Inclusive, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Brand milestones
Hilton's focused-service brands, such as Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn by Hilton, celebrated global milestones and market firsts in 2023.
The Tru by Hilton brand had a breakout year with its arrival in Mexico and 10 new deals signed in CALA.
Hilton's lifestyle brands, including the Curio and Tapestry Collections, expanded their presence in several countries.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the company's flagship brand, continued to strengthen its leading presence in the region with notable openings.
Planned openings for 2024
Hilton has ambitious plans to open more than 15 hotels across CALA in 2024.
These include the debut of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand in Argentina, the first Motto by Hilton hotel in Peru and the arrival of Tru by Hilton in Chile and Colombia. Other notable openings include the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Cacique, the first Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts in Costa Rica, and the Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton - the first all-inclusive Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in the Dominican Republic.