Hilton explores Venezuela return as part of global expansion push

Published: 2026-04-28 12:45:09 ET HLT

Published on 04/28/2026 at 12:45 pm EDT

Hilton Worldwide Holdings is assessing a potential return to Venezuela, reopening the prospect of operations in a market it exited more than a decade ago amid political upheaval, El Nacional reported.

Chief executive officer Christopher Nassetta said the group is engaged in exploratory discussions as it evaluates re-entering the country, framing the move as part of a broader global expansion strategy. The company is considering a return to three markets where it previously operated but withdrew due to geopolitical instability, including Venezuela.

The hotel operator had a significant presence in the country prior to 2009, when then-president Hugo Chávez ordered the nationalisation of several properties, prompting Hilton’s exit after managing 12 hotels locally. Nassetta also pointed to Cuba as another potential re-entry market, recalling that the Havana Hilton was confiscated in 1959.

“Some of our hotels, which were previously with us, want to return,” Nassetta said, suggesting that former affiliated properties could play a role in any renewed presence.

The discussions remain preliminary, with no timeline or specific projects disclosed. Any re-entry would mark a notable shift for the company, which is seeking to identify long-term opportunities in markets it once abandoned.

Hilton’s interest underscores a tentative re-engagement with historically challenging jurisdictions, as it weighs growth prospects against the legacy of expropriations and political risk that shaped its earlier withdrawal.