As Hilton Nears 100-year Milestone, New Research Uncovers a World-Changing Impact

As Hilton heads toward a milestone 100th anniversary in 2019, new research unveils the impact the first global hotel company has had around the world, including in Asia Pacific, where it is now one of the fastest-growing global hospitality companies.

In a new book titled The Hilton Effect, Stanford Business professor and best-selling author Chip Heath presents a closer examination of the company founded by Conrad Hilton, a dreamer who aspired to accomplish much more than to create a comfortable place to sleep. To mark the book's launch, a series of films have been developed telling the stories of the Hilton Effect across Asia Pacific and beyond, now available

Through extensive independent research and in-depth interviews, Heath found deeper meaning in the history and influence of the company over the past century. Heath focused on three areas that he argues define The Hilton Effect:

The Hilton Effect on Guests

Conrad Hilton was a visionary who had his first experience in hospitality hosting weary travelers on the road for work at his family's boarding house and later at his first hotels.
Since then, Hilton has influenced guests by easing travel and broadening perspectives - changing travel as we know it through a century of firsts, from air conditioning to a mobile-centric hotel room; creating the modern business travel industry; and innovating the guest experience, from the first concierge service for female travelers over 50 years ago, to unexpected moments at the breakfast bar.

In Asia Pacific, Hilton's hotels have helped put numerous new destinations on the map, encouraging guests from all over the world to embrace new experiences and adventures. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, for instance, introduced the first underwater restaurant Ithaa, the first villas on stilts, and now, the first underwater residence The Muraka. The iconic imagery from these ground-breaking innovations has been etched in guests' imagination of the Maldives as a luxury travel destination.

The Hilton Effect on Team Members

As recounted by Heath, Hilton has impacted millions of employees - which are referred to as Team Members at the company - by fostering the powerful entrepreneurial spirit and autonomy that Conrad Hilton established.
With 50,000 people currently working in Hilton's hotels and corporate offices in Asia Pacific, the company was this year named Asia's best multinational workplace by Great Place to Work. There are plans to create more than 100,000 new jobs across the region in the years ahead.

Hilton's world-class standards have inspired multiple generations of hospitality talent in Asia Pacific and opened doors for them, including Thae Thae Zaw. Born in the village of Pyinmana, Thae Thae joined Hilton as part of the first batch of students of the Hilton Vocational Training Center in Naypyitaw. The innovative program was established in partnership with Myanmar's Ministry of Hotels and Tourism to impart valuable job skills and provide language training for young talents in Myanmar.
The Hilton Effect on Communities and Economies

Hilton has become woven into the history, economies and infrastructure of communities all over the world, becoming indispensable focal points in the process. It has been the first to enter numerous emerging markets around the globe, has often remained during difficult times, and has led the charge on revitalizing areas that lost hope.
All across Asia Pacific, Hilton's Team Members have spearheaded wide-ranging initiatives to engage the larger community where Hilton operates, serving as agents of change who make a positive difference in people's lives beyond the hotels.

Like in India, where Hilton works with non-profit organization Sundara to promote good hygiene practices and positively impact people in the communities in Mumbai through their soap recycling partnership. This helps decrease the number of children and families suffering from gastrointestinal problems or skin problems like boils and rashes. Since 2011, more than 1,800 Hilton hotels have been involved in soap and amenity recycling, diverting more than 816 tons of soap from landfill and distributing over 7,000,000 new bars of soap.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,800 properties and more than 1 million rooms, in 122 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2021 World's Best Workplaces list and been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for five consecutive years. In 2021, in addition to opening more than one hotel a day, Hilton introduced several industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 128 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.