Hilton returns to Tunisia

A conversion property, the 283-room Hilton Tunis Carthage is expected to open its doors as a Hilton branded hotel by mid 2011. Located in the town of Tunis Gammarth overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and near the exclusive village of Sidi Bou Said, the hotel is a twenty minute drive from Tunis city centre and the international airport.

"We are excited to bring our style, world class service and directional approach to Tunisia Hilton is our company's flagship brand, and we are proud to welcome guests in capital cities around the world," said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.

"Our goal has always been to have a Hilton property in every capital city around the world, so we are delighted to have signed this management agreement with Société Touristique Tunisie Golfe marking our return to Tunis. It is also our first property in Tunisia and will give us an immediate presence in the country. The hotel is currently being rebranded to welcome our first Hilton guests by mid next year," said Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP Development, Hilton Worldwide, Europe & Africa.

The hotel will feature 283 rooms, including 44 suites, three restaurants and a lounge bar. Leisure facilities will include two outdoor swimming pools, an indoor heated pool, beach, a Hilton Fitness by Precor centre, a spa, as well as traditional Hammam. Furthermore, Tunis' largest thalassotherapy centre is adjacent to the hotel (4000 sqm) and the brand new Gammarth golf course is only a five minute drive away. The hotel's meeting and banqueting facilities are the largest in Tunis according to the newly appointed General Manager of Hilton Tunis Carthage, Olivier de Kermel.

Many major projects are being developed that will revolutionise Tunis' landscape including Tunis Sports City, Mediterranean City & Marina, and Al Maabar Roses City, boosting the economy and increasing the flow of business travel and investment. The number of visitors to Tunisia is forecasted to reach over 10 million by 2016.

"We wanted to work with a globally recognised hotel brand that matches our ambition to provide world-class hotel facilities and services. Hilton was a natural first choice. We a re delighted to be working together, and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship," said Belhassen Trabelsi, President of the Karthago Group & Societe Touristique Tunisie Golfe.

Hilton Worldwide currently has 44 hotels across 14 countries, in Middle East & Africa with a further 27 under development.

www.hiltonworldwide.com