Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with New York-based real estate company Claremont Group for its first hotel in Iraq.

The DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Erbil is expected to open at the end of 2013 in the city of Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. The hotel will comprise 200 serviced apartments.

"Erbil's commercial status is increasing year-on-year and the city has a growing reputation as an up-and-coming tourist destination," said Rudi Jagersbacher, Hilton's area president for the Middle East and Africa. 

www.hvs.com