The Hilton Aqaba to open in the Aqaba special economic zone authority, at Tala Bay resort in 2010.

The international arm of Hilton Hotels Corporation has signed an agreement with Aqaba Gate for Hotels and Tourism Projects LLC to manage the Hilton Aqaba. The hotel will be part of a landmark development in the city of Aqaba, Jordan.

Due to open in the first half of 2010, the Hilton Aqaba will become the second property managed by Hilton in Jordan, and is a highly anticipated addition to the leading hotel brand's portfolio of 33 established properties in the Middle East.

A signing ceremony held on 12 February 2007 was attended by Chief Commissioner of Aqaba Special Economic Zone, His Excellency Engineer Nader Al-Dahabi; President of Aqaba Gate for Hotels and Tourism, Ziad Abujaber; ASEZA Chief Commissioner, Nader Dahabi; and Vice President Operations, Hilton Hotels - Egypt, Jordan & Lebanon, Simon Hasdell.

Koos Klein, President, Hilton Hotels Middle East and Asia Pacific, commented on the new development milestone, "We are thrilled to have signed our second property in Jordan - a key development market for us in our global pipeline. The addition of a second property will strengthen Hilton's market position in the Middle East. Hilton Aqaba will offer guests a one-of-a-kind stay in an exceptional resort destination, where all their needs will be met whether it's business or leisure."

The hotel, located in the Tala Bay Resort complex on the Southern beach of the City of Aqaba, will comprise 346 guest rooms, restaurants, bars and multi-purpose function, meeting and conference rooms, in addition to the various recreational facilities, including a swimming pool, health club and gym.

The Tala Bay Resort complex features several tourist attractions, including the Red Sea Beach, stretching over two kilometers, a 30,000-square-meter yacht harbor and a variety of accommodation facilities, hotels and recreational activities, including a golf court, beach club, water garden, other support services and shops.

"The Hilton Aqaba project is our first project with Hilton," said Ziad Abujaber, President of Aqaba Gate for Hotels and Tourism. "We are delighted to join hands with Hilton for this development, which we foresee will be a tremendous success, and look forward to a fruitful and longstanding relationship."

The property will complement Jordan's existing Hilton property under construction, the 590-room Hilton Amman - Jordan Gate (due to open 2009), located on a hill west of central Amman, and will occupy the highest point in the city, making it a new landmark, visible from most parts of the capital.