Hilton announced the signing of two agreements in Japan for Hilton Hiroshima and Hilton Nagasaki. These new deals form part of Hilton’s development pipeline of four hotels in Japan, with plans to add more than 600 rooms in key markets throughout the country.
“We are thrilled to announce two new properties in Japan. This announcement underlines our strong commitment to the Japan market,” said Guy Phillips, senior vice president, Development, Asia & Australasia, Hilton. “Through strong partnerships with our owners, we are looking forward to contributing to the local economies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with our ability to provide exceptional hospitality and experiences as well as introducing nearly 78 million members of Hilton Honors, our award-winning guest loyalty program.”
“We currently have a portfolio of 16 hotels in Japan, stretching from Hokkaido to Okinawa. We are delighted to announce our first property in the Chugoku and Shikoku region and the second property in the Kyushu region,” said Timothy Soper, vice president, Operations, Japan, Korea and Micronesia, Hilton. “Hiroshima and Nagasaki are experiencing unprecedented tourism growth. With our 55 years’ experience of operating hotels in Japan and our commitment to introducing global industry-leading best practices, we look forward to contributing to this growth.”
The first signing of a management agreement is with Fujimi-cho Development G.K., a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up by Setouchi Brand Corporation, for Hilton Hiroshima, which will become the first Hilton property in the Chugoku and Shikoku region of Japan. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2022.
As a member of Setouchi Destination Management Organization (Setouchi DMO), Akihisa Fujita, chief executive officer of Setouchi Brand Corporation commented, “We are delighted to conclude the agreement with Hilton, a leading global hospitality company with vast experience in operating hotels all over the world. By opening the hotel in Hiroshima, the center of the Chugoku and Shikoku region, we believe that we can greatly contribute to the local economy by boosting tourism.”
The new 415-room hotel will offer guest facilities to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers. The hotel will feature the largest convention facilities in the region to accommodate international MICE events, with meeting facilities up to 1,300m2, as well as restaurants, swimming pool, executive lounge, chapel, fitness and spa. Located in Fujimi-cho, in the center of Hiroshima City, it is conveniently situated within easy walking distance of the main dining and shopping districts. The UNESCO world heritage sites, the Peace Memorial Park and the atomic bomb museum, as well as Hiroshima Castle are located within short driving distance.
The second signing of a franchise agreement for Hilton Nagasaki is with Gloverhill Inc., which will be the second Hilton property in Kyushu, Japan. Hilton Nagasaki is planned to open in 2021. The 200-room new hotel will offer guest facilities including restaurants, banquet rooms, chapel and fitness.
Akiyoshi Matsufuji, president of Gloverhill Inc., commented, “Nagasaki is an old city that has a deep connection with both Asian and Western countries throughout its history and has been deeply influenced by those cultures. Nagasaki is attracting attention as its landmarks have gained UNESCO World Heritage recognition. I’m thrilled to announce that we can deliver the charms of Nagasaki worldwide together with Hilton. Through our partnership, we are confident Nagasaki will become a global tourist destination and we will provide exceptional guest experiences.”
Hilton Nagasaki will be built next to the MICE facility of Nagasaki City to be opened in fall 2021, located on the west side of Nagasaki station, which will be renovated for the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen’s Nagasaki route in 2022. It is also the perfect place to easily access various well-known spots in Nagasaki, such as Glover Garden, Mt. Inasa and Oura Cathedral which was recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.
