Hilton Worldwide Announces Entry Into Georgia with Double Signing

TBILISI, Georgia and MCLEAN, Va. -
"Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of two management agreements which mark its entry into Georgia. Flagship brand Hilton Hotels & Resorts will debut in the coastal city of Batumi in summer 2014, whilst Georgian capital Tbilisi will be the location for a mid-market Hilton Garden Inn property in 2016. The two projects are entirely separate with different partners but jointly represent Hilton's arrival into Georgia.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, "Georgia is a growing business and leisure tourism destination and we are delighted to have reached agreement on two separate deals to bring two new world class hotel brands to the country for the first time. Hilton Worldwide is growing across Eastern Europe and we see significant potential to bring quality, branded accommodation to the region."

Georgia is enjoying a period of sustained economic growth, driven by its production of sustainable energy and inward foreign investment. Representing a frontier between Europe and Asia, it is a key strategic outpost for businesses seeking to expand further east, and thus benefits from significant demand in the meetings and events sector. 

Hilton Batumi - Hilton Hotels & Resorts will open its debut hotel in the coastal city of Batumi, following a management agreement with Tourinvest Ltd. Batumi has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, establishing the city as a thriving leisure destination. Tourism is central to the city's economy thanks largely to its popular casinos, beaches and vibrant nightlife.

With 247 guestrooms, a destination restaurant and showpiece rooftop bar overlooking the Black Sea, the upscale Hilton Batumi will appeal to leisure guests seeking to explore the city. It will be located on the doorstep of attractions such as Batumi beach and the Seaside Park, whilst being in close proximity to the city centre and commercial port. The multi-purpose site will be shared with a retail unit, casino and health club, all directly linked to the hotel via a walkway and benefitting from underground parking.

Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, said, "Batumi has benefited from significant investment in recent years to reestablish itself as a stylish resort and we are delighted to be one of the first global brands to secure a presence in the city. With its magnificent design and stunning views over the Black Sea, Hilton Batumi will be a leisure destination in its own right, while also offering an outstanding venue for meetings and events."

Hilton Garden Inn Tbilisi Chavchavadze - The award winning mid-market brand will announce its presence with an eye-catching 14 storey, 165 guestroom property in the heart of Tbilisi's financial district, following a management agreement with LTD Chavchavadze 64a that sees Redix act as developer and asset manager. The hotel will boast a prime location on Chavchavadze Avenue, which houses many of the city's banks and commercial headquarters, while also being a thriving retail destination.

Guests at Hilton Garden Inn Tbilisi Chavchavadze will be able to enjoy the brand's signature features, designed for convenience and comfort. This will include the Garden Sleep System; ergonomic Orange Box chair; and high-speed internet access. Its restaurant will offer traditional all-day dining while light bites are available on the go from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry. The hotel will also be equipped with a round the clock business centre and a fitness complex featuring an indoor swimming pool.

Financing of up to $18.7 million for the Hilton Garden Inn property has been provided by the EBRD*. The project has also benefited from a technical and energy performance assessment sponsored by the government of Japan through the EBRD's Sustainable Energy Initiative.

Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn, said, "Tbilisi is a thriving hub of industry and commerce and we feel our brand is ideally suited to fill a gap in the city's market for a mid-market, business friendly hotel. Our brand's features are all geared towards resonating with the modern traveller, who is always on the move, ensuring they have an easy and enjoyable stay with us. We are excited to be bringing these services to Tbilisi and look forward to setting a new benchmark amongst value hotels in the Georgian capital."

*The EBRD, owned by 64 countries and two intergovernmental institutions, is supporting the development of market economies and democracies. To date, the EBRD has invested over €1.8 billion in 159 projects in various sectors of the Georgian economy, mobilising a further €3 billion for those ventures from other sources of financing.