The Grand Waikikian at Hilton Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort & Spa celebrated the completion of its new $7 million Paradise Pool on February 9. The 5,000-square-foot family activity pool boasts the longest slide in Waikiki and overlooks the resort’s landmark Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, which reopened in 2007 after an extensive rejuvenation of its beach and swimming areas.

Hilton Hotels Corporation has said it is planning over 1,000 job cuts globally as it embarks on a US$250 million cost-cutting programme. HHC, controlled by Blackstone Group, announced plans to close its corporate headquarters in Beverly Hills, California, and move operations to Virginia. Meanwhile staff at its Watford international centre in the UK, as well as Singapore and Dubai, are bracing themselves for sweeping job cuts.The corporation has 3,200 hotels in 77 countries, employing some 135,000 staff. According to The Times, it is cutting jobs at the 15 per cent of hotels it owns or manages, whilst its franchisees are likely to follow.

Hilton Hotels Corporation has opened the Excelsior Hilton Palermo, Sicily, its third property on the island, and its 15th hotel in Italy. It is operated by Acqua Marcia Turismo Spa under a franchise agreement with Hilton.

Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced that its subsidiary has signed an agreement with Shanghai New Union Building Co Ltd to manage the Waldorf Astoria On The Bund Shanghai. The hotel will be located in the heritage building on the infamous Bund in Shanghai and is scheduled to open in 2011.

Breaking Travel News interviews Jean-Paul Herzog, Hilton Hotels at WTTC 2008, Dubai.

Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced that the Rome Cavalieri Hilton will become the first European property to join The Waldorf=Astoria Collection.