HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS will be making severe cuts to make up for the loss of revenue it has suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes cutting around 2,100 corporate positions.
The company also will extend existing furloughs, reduced hours, and corporate pay reductions it has already implemented for up to an additional 90 days, according to a statement.
“Never in Hilton’s 101-year history has our industry faced a global crisis that brings travel to a virtual standstill. Hospitality will always be a business of people serving people, which is why I am devastated that to protect our business, we have been forced to take actions that directly impact our team members,” said Christopher Nassetta, Hilton president and CEO. “Our company’s spirit has always been grounded in a culture that supports our team members and delivers hospitality for our guests. We will keep that spirit alive, and when the world begins to travel again, we will be ready to welcome them back.”
Corporate employee affected by the cuts will receive severance pay, outplacement support, access to online Hilton alumni resources and an expedited recruitment process. When travel resumes, the furloughed employees will have extended access to the Go Hilton Team Member travel program and Team Member Hilton Honors status.
For the first three months of 2020, Hilton’s system-wide comparable RevPAR decreased 22.6 percent primarily as a result of decreases in occupancy, according to the company’s first quarter earnings statement. The company’s first-quarter management and franchise fee revenues decreased 18 percent as a result. Hilton has closed 1,000 properties, around 16 percent of its global portfolio.
