• The Wall Street Journal , Wednesday, June 25, 2008 10:30 AM

Hilton Hotels -- with nine brands ranging from the opulent Waldorf-Astoria Collection to the thriftier Hampton Inn -- wants to build up its presence in Asia by adding 300 hotels to the 47 it already operates in the region over the next decade. Hilton is focusing initially on India, where it has a joint venture with local property firm DLF Ltd. that aims to open 75 hotels within the next five years, says CEO and president Chris Nassetta.

Nassetta has viewed international expansion as a priority since he joined U.S.-based Hilton last year. Hilton reunited with its overseas arm, Hilton International, in 2006, a step that primed the enlarged company for a burst of international growth.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide owns or operates 136 hotels in the Asian-Pacific region, and has 95 more in the pipeline. Marriott International operates some 85 hotels in the region, including Hawaii, and plans to add as many as 80 properties within five years. French hotel company Accor SA has 180 hotels in Asia, 50 of them in China alone, where it plans a big push with its Ibis brand.

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