Hilton Hotels Expects Record $2.5 Billion in Revenue from Website Bookings in 2006

Hilton Hotels Corporation expects more than $2.5 billion in revenues generated from bookings on its proprietary websites for the full-year 2006 compared to $709 million five years ago, in 2002.

Bookings through its websites have increased at a steady 30 percent year over year since 2002, and accelerated to a 39 percent increase in the third quarter of 2006 versus the third quarter of 2005.

This represents a 60 percent increase in revenues and a 43 percent increase in room nights for third quarter 2006 vs. prior year, according to the company.

It further shared that website bookings currently represent 17.2 percent of the company’s overall distribution of bookings, compared with 9.1 percent in 2002, making it the most dominant central delivery channel for the company.

In contrast, contribution of third-party online agencies has remained flat at three percent of reservations, and now accounts for just 15 percent of the company’s Internet business.