Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a management agreement with Dijaya Land Development Sdn Bhd to manage Hilton Okinawa Kin in Kin, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan. Scheduled to open in 2016, the 190-room Hilton Okinawa Kin will be part of an integrated resort development located on the eastern side of Okinawa’s main island facing Kin Bay and the Pacific Ocean.”Having operated in Japan for half a century, Hilton Worldwide today operates ten properties located in key leisure and business locations across the country, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, with one more to open next year in Chatan, Okinawa,” said Guy Phillips, vice president, development, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide. “Hilton Okinawa Kin will be our 12th property in Japan, and presents an opportunity to fly another Hilton flag in a key destination for our iconic, flagship brand. Backed by a strong partner like Dijaya Land Development Sdn Bhd, we are confident that this hotel will perform well and continue to deliver quality hospitality experiences synonymous with the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.”
Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts said, “Our story in Japan began in 1963 with the opening of the Tokyo Hilton in Akasaka as one of the first truly global hotel brands to commence trading in the country. This remarkable journey continues to this day as we continue to expand into key destinations in Japan, and Hilton Okinawa Kin will continue our legacy in world-class hospitality alongside its sister properties located in key cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka as well as the Hilton Okinawa Chatan, which will open next year.”
The 12-story Hilton Okinawa Kin is approximately 48 kilometers away from Naha International Airport and benefits from excellent access to the Kin Okinawa Expressway as well as direct access to Naha City. Kin also offers access to a variety of sightseeing spots including Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa National Ocean Park, Kokusai Street, Shuri Castle, Statue of Himeyuri and the northern resort areas.
The hotel will offer an all-day-dining restaurant, one specialty restaurant and a bar. It will also have a business lounge, meeting rooms, boardrooms and a ballroom, plus recreational facilities such as a fitness club, a spa, a carpark and swimming pool.
“Okinawa is one of the most sought after destinations for domestic travelers in Japan, and is growing in popularity among tourists from Korea, Taiwan and China. Our partnership with Hilton Worldwide is a significant milestone for us as it combines the expertise of a truly global, award-winning hospitality company with our strong track record in residential and commercial developments,” said Dato’ Dickson Tan, Group Managing Director, Dijaya Land Development Sdn Bhd. “The Hilton Okinawa Kin will be part of the first integrated resort development of its kind in Okinawa and we are confident that it will be well placed to meet the demands of both domestic and international travelers looking for world-class accommodation in Okinawa.”
Contributing close to USD5 billion annually, tourism is Okinawa’s largest industry and the prefecture welcomes nearly 5.9 million visitors a year. Kin is a destination offering traditional Okinawan culture where visitors can enjoy nature and numerous outdoor as well as eco-tourism activities such as kayaking and bird watching. Famous for its rich water resources, Kin also offers a number of spring water wells including the “Ukkagah” spring, a cultural landmark in Kin, which is also known as “The Fountain of Longevity” and has the largest supply of spring water in Okinawa. The Kin Municipal government has also earmarked a redevelopment plan to introduce sports, medical and other healthcare facilities to Kin.
