Marriot
...titive advantage. Hilton has also established the Hilton Quality Service Institute (HQSI) in Beverly Hills, California, which provides intensive workshops that educate property managers in corporate programs and service philosophy, resulting in greater consistency and quality through leadership in each hotel. Like many other hotels, Hilton has a 100% satisfaction guarantee in which they “commit to high quality accommodations, friendly and efficient service, and clean comfortable surroundings, for all guests. It is the basis of every hotel's operating philosophy that empowers employees, ensures consistency throughout the brand, continually raises the bar for quality and service, and positively impacts each hotel's bottom line.” MARKETING PROGRAMS This drive for quality has worked hand-in-hand with a series of national marketing programs that appeal to Hilton's key target audiences. These programs include the following: • GUEST REWARD PROGRAM. Hilton's acclaimed guest reward program, HILTON HHONORS® WORLDWIDE was expanded April 3, 2000 and now includes Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels, along with Hilton and Conrad International. Only Hilton HHonors® now offers members the ability to earn both Points & Miles™ for stays at nearly any rate, at more than 2000 hotels around the globe. • FAMILY VACATIONS. HILTON VACATION STATION™ is a program of special family services and amenities designed to help families traveling with children maximize their leisure time together. Since 1990, families have taken advantage of the program's SPECIAL FAMILY VACATION PREMIUMS and our toy and game-lending desk. The program is available at more than twice as many U.S. locations as its primary competitors and located in the most popular vacation destinations across North & South America. In 2000, we are delighted to welcome several Doubletree hotels into the program; look for more next year. • MATURE TRAVELERS. Among the first businesses to recognize the importance of travelers over age 60, the company has created HILTON SENIOR HHONORS® WORLDWIDE, one of the hotel industry's only membership-based travel programs for mature travelers. INNOVATIONS Hilton has been on the forefront of hotel innovation since its inception. Hilton's firsts include: • FIRST HOTEL COMPANY TO LIST ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE - June 23, 1946. • FIRST COMPANY TO OPERATE A HOTEL GIFT SHOP. Called the Hilton Country Store, the gift shop reflected Conrad Hilton's determination to maximize every square foot of hotel space and serve the hotel guest. • IN 1997, HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION (HHC) AND BRITISH COMPANY HILTON GROUP PLC, FORMALIZED A GLOBAL MARKETING ALLIANCE TO REUNITE THE HILTON NAME WORLDWIDE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 30 YEARS. Hilton International (now a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Group) was spun off from HHC in 1964. Hilton Hotels Corporation continued to operate hotels separately in the U.S. and Conrad International Hotels Corporation, a subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation, operates hotels outside the U.S. There are more than 2000 Hilton, Conrad International, and Vista hotels in 50 countries, and the reunification of the brand further enhances Hilton's leadership position in one of the world's fastest growing industries. • With customer service as a Hilton hallmark, the company was the FIRST BRAND TO OFFER AMENITIES SUCH AS AIR CONDITIONING AND DIRECT-DIAL TELEPHONES as standard features in guestrooms. • PIONEERED CONCEPT OF AIRPORT HOTELS with the opening of the San Francisco Airport Hilton in 1959. The company now boasts 40 airport properties located strategically in major markets in the U.S. • FIRST UPSCALE LODGING COMPANY TO DEVELOP THE CONCEPT OF FRANCHISING HOTELS, 1966. Formed Hilton Inns, Inc. to create a network of franchise hotels beari...