How do you explain the Hilton Group's rapid growth?
Jean Faivre - In fact, our growth is the fastest in the entire hotel industry, with 3,900 hotels at present and another 1,000 in the pipeline. In 2012 alone, we opened 171 properties. The reason for this rapid growth is the merger between Hilton Corporation and Hilton International in 2007, led by our shareholder Blackstone. Previously, only the Hilton brand had been developed outside the United States. Today, we can count on six of the group's ten brands. So while five years ago, 70% of new hotels were located in the United States, the balance has completely reversed, with 80% of future openings outside North America. In Europe alone, we have gone from 2 hotels in Italy to 23 today. It's virtually the same in Romania and Turkey, where our group is expanding very rapidly. All this is in line with Blackstone's goal of becoming the world's leading hotel group.
Which of these developments do you consider to be the most significant?
J. F. - We are placing particular emphasis on luxury. Five years ago, there was only one Waldorf Astoria, but now there are 26, including the one that has just opened in Berlin, and 16 more are under development, notably in Amsterdam. The figures are almost identical for Conrad, with the recent inauguration of a resort hotel in the Algarve that will be the brand's flagship in Europe. Waldorf Astoria is all about timeless elegance, history and ultra-personalised service, with the launch of True Waldorf Sevice, a private concierge who takes charge of guests even before they arrive and who will remain dedicated to them until the end of their stay. Conversely, Conrad stands for "Smart Luxury": customers can use our services or do everything themselves if they prefer. The Conrad Concierge application is in line with this idea, making it possible, for example, to order a dish from room service from the comfort of your taxi.
How did you feel about losing the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris contract? Is France still on your group's list of priorities?
J. F. - It's obviously disappointing, but that's the way business is. We have a long history in Paris, where we were the first group to set up shop 45 years ago. I'm sure we'll bounce back in Paris. Hilton is the world's leading brand in terms of customer recognition, and with over 20 million members of our HHonors loyalty programme, that's a big plus in the eyes of owners. Of course, France is always one of our priorities. In 2015 we will be opening a combined Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn unit in Val d'Europe. This will launch the Garden Inn brand, which has been very successful in the United States with its upmarket positioning, but with limited services. Above all, Garden Inn gives us an extra card to play in smaller cities where a 300-room Hilton would not be justified. Along with Doubletree - another upmarket brand, 'Hilton light' - it's one of the brands we're counting on the most.
