The King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre will now operate under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. Credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts. — Photo by Hilton

DEAD SEA, Jordan, and MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton Worldwide has commenced management of Jordan's Dead Sea King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, one of the largest convention centre's in the Middle East region. The reflagged convention centre will now operate under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.

With almost 5,000 square meters of meeting space and 23,000 square meters of build-up area spread over 25 conference and meeting rooms and three floors, King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre is one of the largest in the region. It can accommodate approximately 5,000 guests.

Hilton Worldwide manages the Convention Centre through an agreement with Dead Sea Resorts PSC Company. The Convention Centre is adjacent to the 285-room Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa that is currently under development and is scheduled to open in Q4 2014.

"This partnership will leverage the Hilton brand's global expertise and innovative leadership in meetings and large scale events for the benefit of the region as Jordan continues its growth in this segment. Hilton is the leader in global hospitality and we are excited to expand our portfolio in this market," said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.

As part of Jordan's strategy to capture MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) business, the convention centre has hosted and will host international conferences such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2007, 2009 and May 2011, the International Monetary Fund, as well as local and regional conferences, workshops and exhibitions. With fully-equipped conference and meeting halls that vary in size and capacity, the centre is able to accommodate numerous events with different capacity requirements simultaneously.

KHBTCC has dedicated itself to achieve, encourage and set a local and regional benchmark for excellence in managing and attracting significant international, regional and local conventions, trade-shows, educational, cultural and social functions as well as other events to its world-class facilities, while maximizing the benefits for the Jordanian economy and local businesses.

KHBTCC will further strengthen the Hilton portfolio in Jordan, becoming the first project managed by the Hilton brand in Jordan, as one of five other new developments for Hilton Worldwide in the country. KHBTCC will join three new Hilton brand hotels in Aqaba, Amman and Dead Sea areas as well as the first Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Aqaba.

"Jordan is a key development market for us in our regional development strategy. As an upscale resort and therapeutic area, the Dead Sea is an ideal location to increase our presence in the Jordanian Kingdom where modernization meets with a rich history. KHBTCC will benefit from a swift opening, with the full support of the Hilton sales and marketing engines as well as the support of the KHBTCC former General Manager, Naif Zureikat, who will stay on to manage the convention centre," said Jean-Paul Herzog, president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East and Africa.

Lying within the folds of the Jordan Valley more than 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Its richness in various minerals makes the Dead Sea, with its black mud, a destination of therapeutic tourism seeking its extraordinary curative powers. The growing resort area is also located 40-minutes away from the capital, Amman.

"As we face a surge in business travel across Jordan, Hilton Worldwide's established credentials and well- positioned brands will help us manage demand and meet conference and incentive travellers' high expectations for this new conversion," said H.E. Eng. Said Darwazah, chairman of Dead Sea Resorts PSC.

Hilton Worldwide has an impressive brand footprint in the Middle East and Africa with 44 hotels across 14 countries, and another 25 properties in the pipeline.

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Hilton Hotels & Resorts is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader of hospitality that welcomes guests in more countries than any other full-service hotel brand. The Hilton brand currently includes more than 530 hotels and resorts in 76 countries, and plans to serve travelers in 80 countries by the end of 2011. By offering innovative products, services and amenities, Hilton Hotels & Resorts enables travelers to be at their best 24/7, whether traveling for business or leisure. Start your journey at .

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 91 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 600,000 rooms in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.

Noha Bassily
Hilton Worldwide, Egypt & Levant
Hilton