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Hilton Garden Inn coming to Addis Ababa. (Posted 04th October 2026) The Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) is developing a 150-key Hilton Garden Inn and wellness facility inside the existing Hilton Addis Ababa compound. The project is worth about $55 million, according to the holding company's announcement. EIH said the scheme will make better use of existing assets and expand quality hospitality offerings as the capital prepares to host the COP32 climate summit in November 2027. According to EIH, Elmi Olindo Contractors PLC has been commissioned as the design-and-build contractor, with ZIAS Architecture and Engineering as project consultant. Completion is targeted for October 2027, just weeks before the summit opens. That leaves little room for delay on a project meant to be in service for the event. The Hilton Hotel which is owned by EIH subsidiary Development & Hotels Company, and that the existing five-star hotel has around 370 rooms. The new hotel would therefore add roughly 40 percent to the compound's room count, on land EIH already owns. The announcement comes as the capital races to close a large accommodation gap. According to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), city officials say Addis Ababa has about 25,000 beds and aims to raise this to more than 80,000 through new construction and upgrades to existing hotels, guesthouses and serviced apartments. Recently MIDROC Investment Group CEO Jamal Ahmed as saying the group is mobilising resources to secure about 1,500 beds for COP32 delegates. Work has also resumed on the long-delayed Westin hotel project on African Union premises, which is expected to finish before the summit. The wider data point to a pipeline that is large by African standards. According to W Hospitality Group's 2026 Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa report, Ethiopia has 5,964 rooms across 34 hotels in the pipeline, ranking fifth on the continent, with nearly 80 percent of those rooms already under construction. The report puts Africa's total pipeline at a record 123,846 rooms. Hilton, one of the five global groups that dominate that pipeline, is therefore adding to a market where international brands are expanding quickly.

Hilton report finds Asia Pacific travellers prioritising flexibility, growth and wellbeing. 01.10.2026 Hilton's 2027 Trends Report identifies five APAC travel trends, from flexible trip planning and trusted advice to personal growth, nature-led wellness and shorter escapes. Hilton has identified five APAC travel trends that it expects to influence how people plan and experience trips in 2027. Its latest Trends Report points to greater demand for flexibility, trusted advice and experiences that deliver lasting personal value. Travellers are also placing more emphasis on wellbeing, nature and making better use of limited time away. Agodabooking service The findings draw on a global survey of more than 14,000 travellers. More than 5,000 respondents came from five Asia Pacific markets. Hilton conducted the regional research in partnership with Morning Consult. Travellers redefine the idea of a perfect trip. Hilton describes one of the main APAC travel trends as the "Rise of 'Ish'". Some 60% of regional respondents said they feel pressure to get every detail of a trip right. However, 50% now plan experiences around their own preferences, showing a shift towards more personal and flexible travel. The report also points to changes in solo travel. Around 30% of Asia Pacific travellers have travelled alone before meeting friends or family at the destination. Hilton says this reflects a balance between independence and social connection. Motto by Hilton has also seen more than half of its worldwide reservations over the past year come from solo guests. Hilton is expanding the brand in Asia Pacific, with new properties planned from Shanghai to Sydney. Ben George, Senior Vice President and Commercial Director, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said: "The Great Rebalance marks a shift from passive tourism to experiences with personal purpose, with travellers increasingly looking to engage more deeply with the places they visit," said Ben George, senior vice president and commercial director, Asia Pacific, Hilton. "Across Asia Pacific, travellers want to return from their travels with something lasting - a new perspective, a deeper connection, or a renewed sense of wellbeing. Hilton is bringing that shift to life by combining our portfolio of brands, intuitive digital experiences, and the human expertise of our teams to help guests turn every stay into an experience that is distinctly their own." Human recommendations retain influence. Despite the growth of AI-powered travel planning, human expertise remains important. Some 69% of APAC travellers trust hotel staff as a travel-planning resource. Among respondents who trust family most, one in five non-parents identified their mother as their main source of travel advice. Loyalty status is also affecting traveller perceptions. Nearly half of respondents, at 46%, said they are more likely to trust recommendations from someone with loyalty status. Another 32% said they feel jealous when friends hold a higher travel loyalty status than they do. Hilton reports double-digit growth in members reaching elite tiers after changes to Hilton Honors in January 2026. The company says the changes made status easier to earn while increasing its perceived value. Travel increasingly linked with personal growth. Personal development is another APAC travel trend highlighted in the report. Some 76% of respondents said having a trip on their calendar gives them something to work towards. Meanwhile, 43% said travel has helped them discover new interests or passions. Agodabooking service Discover more Daily travel news Trip planning AI Agoda booking service Hilton refers to this trend as "Growth Getaways". The company sees opportunities for hotels to connect visitors more closely with local culture and skills. At ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts, for example, guests can take part in washi paper-making and Kintsugi through the brand's Pursuit of Adventure programme. Nature becomes central to travel wellbeing. The report also identifies a broader change in how travellers think about wellness. Some 59% of APAC respondents actively seek experiences that calm the body and reset the nervous system. A further 72% said travel helps them recharge mentally and physically in ways they cannot easily achieve at home. Nature plays a major role in that shift. Around 76% said fresh air and outdoor environments are essential to relaxation while travelling. More than half (56%) spend more time immersed in nature on holiday than at home. Hilton properties are responding with destination-led wellness experiences. At Conrad Bali, the offer includes Forest Bathing and Foraging in the Jatiluwih rice terraces and Bedugul rainforest. The programme combines time in nature with local food and traditional experiences. Shorter trips need to deliver more. Time constraints are also changing travel behaviour. Some 59% of Asia Pacific travellers prefer trips that allow them to experience a lot within a short period. Hilton describes this as the "Micro-Travel Mindset", with travellers taking shorter and more frequent breaks. The definition of a short trip varies across markets. Overall, 53% of APAC travellers consider a journey of less than two days to be short. In Australia, 78% define a short break as fewer than three to four days, while the figure reaches 87% in China. Hilton is adapting some guest experiences around this behaviour. Conrad 1/3/5 offers activities designed around one, three or five hours, allowing guests to experience more of a destination without committing a full day. Tal Shefer, Senior Vice President, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said: "Travel is becoming less about following a formula and more about creating a stay that works for you," said Tal Shefer, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton. "That shift is reflected across our brands, from the flexibility and social energy of Motto by Hilton, to the immersive discovery of LXR Hotels & Resorts, and the restorative experiences offered by Waldorf Astoria and Conrad. As traveller expectations continue to evolve, our focus is on ensuring each brand has a clear point of view while giving guests more ways to personalise their stay and connect with the destination." Hilton currently operates a portfolio of 28 brands and more than 9,400 properties. Its partnerships include Explora Journeys, AutoCamp and Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The company says the latest APAC travel trends point towards trips that are more personal, flexible and closely connected with wellbeing, discovery and individual priorities. Agodabooking service Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.