Hilton Hotels to franchise 16 hotels under its brand

New Delhi: Hilton Hotels Corporation has entered into an agreement to franchise its 'Hampton by Hilton' brand to Marigold Hospitality Limited in India, a joint venture between Palm Holdings and Trikona Capital to invest in and develop hotels in India.

Marigold Hospitality aims to franchise 16 hotels, totalling approximately 2,000 rooms, under the Hampton by Hilton brand in India.

The hotels will be managed on behalf of Marigold Hospitality by Palm Hospitality of the Palm Holdings Group of businesses. Marigold Hospitality and Palm Hospitality Limited are members of the Palm Holdings Group of businesses.

The deal is set to launch the Hampton by Hilton brand in India.  Marigold Hospitality expects to secure initial sites in the first half of 2008, with commencement of construction this year.

"This is a great opportunity for us to get a foothold in the business hotel sector in India as one of the first international hotel companies to offer business travellers in India top quality focused service accommodation on the road,'' said Koos Klein, president, Hilton Hotels, Asia Pacific.''Through multi-unit deals like this, we are well positioned to cater to the growing demand for focused service hotels and tap the powerful economic growth and demographics in India. It is our goal to become a nationwide hotel company in India, across the market segments."

The first of the 16 Hampton by Hilton hotels is planned to open in the next two years.