Bookings for weddings at The Hilton Family of Hotels using its online e-Events tools have increased over 2008.

The Hilton Family of Hotels e-Events online planning and booking tools have more than quadrupled its online bookings for the full year 2008, compared to 2007.

The global hospitality company’s online revenue increased by 178% – with bookings for weddings up 211% and business meetings up 171% from the year before.

More than 250,000 users are projected to handle their events through the Hilton Family of Hotels online group tools in 2009, which was first introduced in 2005, two years ahead of any competition.

The e-Events online planning and booking tools allow customers to plan, book and manage groups online with real time inventory, 24/7 booking access, meeting space, food and beverage, and audio-visual options, and instant booking with an online contract and confirmation.

From weddings and business meetings to all social gatherings, e-Events allows users to book from 5 to 25 rooms and is accessible at more than 2,500 Hilton Family of Hotels.

Bob Brooks, Vice President of eSales Strategy and Performance, Hilton Hotels Corporation, said: “We developed e-Events to address the growing needs of people to plan, book and manage their events online at their convenience. Our research continues to reflect the ongoing trend of many first time planners – primarily GenX and GenY users – who drive the online booking process.

“With the majority of today’s consumers Internet savvy, our goal is to make online bookings of events and meetings as commonplace as online airline bookings.”

e-Events is currently available at all North American Hilton Family of Hotels and will be extending its online planning and booking tools to Hilton Family hotels in the UK in 2009. For more information, visit: www.hiltonfamilyeevents.com. 

Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,200 hotels and 545,000 rooms in 77 countries, with more than 135,000 team members worldwide.