If the merger between Hilton Hotels and British namesake Hilton Group PLC goes through as announced Thursday, it would give Hilton Hotels nearly 2,800 hotels and 475,000 rooms in 80 countries and create strong competition for rivals in the global market. The deal would also mean that U.S. brands Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Doubletree and Homewood Suites could be introduced around the world.

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By David Jones and Christian Plumb

LONDON/NEW YORK, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Hilton Hotels Corp. (HLT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said it would buy its British namesake's hotel operations for 3.3 billion pounds ($5.7 billion), propelling it into the ranks of rivals with global operations.

The merger will reunite the Hilton brand after the business split in 1964 with the U.S. company running all Hilton hotels in the United States and the UK group operating the brand elsewhere around the world.

Original Article: UPDATE 4-Hilton to buy UK, European Hilton hotels Reuters Business Channel | Reuters.com


tags: hospitality