RAY LENNOX BIGGER NAMED SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SALES FOR HILTON ASIA & GM TRANSFERS

Mr. Ray Lennox Bigger has been named senior director of sales of Hilton Asia. He most recently served as the vice-president for sales and marketing, for MarcoPolo hotels in the United Kingdom.

In his new position, Bigger will take an active role in the sales activities for Hilton hotels in Asia, working closely with the hotels' directors of sales. Bigger reports directly to Michael Flynn, Hilton's vice-president for sales and marketing for Asia Pacific.

Bigger will be based at the Hilton regional office in Singapore. "Bigger's credentials and record of accomplishments make him the ideal candidate to manage our regional activities in Asia." said Flynn. He received a masters degree in business administration from Edinburgh University in the United Kingdom. He has been actively involved in marketing associations, including the UK Hotel Industry Marketing Group and Chartered Institute of Marketing, Hong Kong, where he held the position of chairman.

Victor Chan who is currently the director for International Sales Hong Kong is now the regional director of sales for North Asia. He reports to Hugh Holmes, Hilton's vice president for Greater China and Philippines and to Ray Bigger in Singapore.

Hilton has also announced the transfers of three general managers - Herman Ehrlich who is presently the general manager of Hilton Guam will be the new general manager for Hilton Cairns in Australia. John Ingram of Cairns will take up the responsibility of general manager of the new Hilton Auckland in New Zealand. The hotel is scheduled to open end of this year. Manfred Pieper will return to Guam as the general manager of Hilton Guam.

Hilton Hotels Corporation and Hilton International, a subsidiary of Hilton Group plc, have a worldwide alliance to market Hilton, the world's best-known hotel brand. Collectively offering approximately 2,000 hotels in more than 50 countries worldwide, both companies are recognised as leaders in the hospitality industry. Hilton International currently operates more than 220 hotels in over 50 countries worldwide.