Hilton Execs Say Next-Gen Wealth Will Shape Luxury Hotel Growth

Hilton is expanding its luxury brands worldwide, and using a tailored regional approach to wooing owners organically —instead of acquiring portfolios.

"The further east you go, the longer the asset is normally held because it's usually a generational investment driven by a sense of family pride," said Dino Michael, senior vice president and global head of luxury brands. "Obviously the further west you go, it's more of a commercial transaction."

In other words, in some parts of Asia Pacific, hotel brand choices are often about generational pride and legacy. Perhaps Grandpa built a great business, so now the family wants a trophy hotel to show off their success. But in the West, it's often just another savvy real estate play driven by location, valuation, and expected return.

A Tailored Strategy by Market For emerging markets, Hilton uses something of a hub-and-spoke model, typically entering with a flagship brand first. It creates local infrastructure, such as warehouses, business development teams, and recruitment platforms. Then, it expands strategically, su