European Tour Welcomes Hilton as Worldwide Hotel Supplier
LONDON, December 16, 2014 – The European Tour and Hilton Worldwide today announced that the world’s largest hospitality company is to become the sporting body’s official worldwide hotel supplier.
Building on Hilton’s rich history of sporting association and diverse locations across 93 countries, the deal welcomes Hilton into the stable of European Tour global partners for three years, beginning in 2015. The initial arrangement will see Hilton host Tour staff in its many properties that have proximity to events taking place across the world, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Some 41 countries across the globe have staged European Tour events since we began in 1972. It has become a truly worldwide schedule of elite golf. It is hugely exciting to now commence a new relationship with a hotel supplier of the scale and prestige of Hilton. Its global network closely matches the footprint of The European Tour and we look forward to championing the impact and reach of golf together around the world.”
The agreement will see Hilton advertising on The European Tour’s various channels, including europeantour.com, promoting the various hotel and golfing experiences on offer across the world. Hilton will also have access to various hospitality packages and appearances from player ambassadors.
Aligi Gardenghi, Vice President Marketing, Europe, Middle East & Africa for Hilton Worldwide, commented: “We have long championed golf as a sport, both through the excellent facilities available at our properties across the globe and via individual partnerships with industry professionals. The partnership with The European Tour is part of a commitment to enhance our customer experiences, in this instance with those who share our passion for golf.”
Hilton Worldwide has more than 50 properties with connected or associated golf courses. These include the likes of Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah in UAE, Conrad Algarve in Portugal, and Hilton Belfast Templepatrick in Northern Ireland. Official hotel partnerships are in place for forthcoming European Tour events including Hilton Sandton for the Joburg Open and the Doubletree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur for the Maybank Malaysian Open with discussions underway for additional opportunities.
Hilton’s association with golf also extends to its Travel with Purpose corporate responsibility strategy, with the US based Hilton HHonors Charitable Golf Series in its eighth year, raising $1.53m for charities across the U.S.A. The company’s wider sporting connections include being the exclusive hotel partner of McLaren, based in the UK, plus the U.S. Olympic Committee, Canadian Olympic Committee and Chinese Olympic Committee.
About The European Tour
The European Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf from the origins of the professional game, building a proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity as well as showcasing our diverse global talent and rich landscapes. The European Tour’s innovative approach enables us to embrace the world, combining championships of tradition with new tournaments in the cities and countries of the future. The European Tour International Schedule, which from 2009 has incorporated The Race to Dubai, is a thriving global brand which, in 2015 will feature a minimum of 47 tournaments spread across all five continents of the world; the European Challenge Tour focuses on the up and coming players of the future; while the European Senior Tour provides a new start for champions celebrating their 50th birthday. The European Tour’s corporate identity features the iconic silhouette image of six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon who gives his name to The Harry Vardon Trophy, presented to the player who is crowned European Tour Number One and winner of The Race to Dubai at the end of the season.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 95 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,250 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 700,000 rooms in 93 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, Canopy by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide, and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.
SOURCE: Hilton Worldwide