Hilton Int'l creates new Commercial Operations division

WATFORD, England -- Hilton International created a new division as it realigns its operations as part of a larger growth strategy.

The new division is called the Commercial Operations Group, which will encompass sales, marketing, eCommerce and distribution, and IT functions.

Ian Carter, Hilton International's chief executive, said the new Commercial Operations Group is designed to enable the chain to better serve a changing marketplace.

"As our customers become more global in their organization and the Internet becomes increasingly important to our revenues, it is essential that our own structure and priorities adapt to deliver this new reality," Carter said. "It is clear that cost efficiencies and better coordination will be achieved through a global approach to brand and distribution management."

Carter, who joined Hilton International last December, is expected to spell out his strategic plans for the hotel chain later this year.

Hilton International is an operating division of the U.K. based Hilton Group, which owns the rights to the Hilton brand name throughout the world, with the exception of the U.S. where the Hilton brand is owned and managed by Hilton Hotels Corp.

Hilton International operates 405 hotels, with 263 branded Hilton, 47 in the Hilton Worldwide Resorts brand, plus 142 under the mid-market Scandic brand.

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