Hilton retains top spot in Asia workplace ranking

Hilton has retained the top position in Great Place to Work’s Best Workplaces in Asia ranking, the company announced from Singapore on 11 September 2026. It is the second year running that Hilton has led the ranking across industries and its 10th consecutive year as the region’s highest-ranked hospitality employer.

The recognition comes alongside an expansion of Hilton’s Asia Pacific workforce, which the company said has doubled from 48,000 in 2017 to 99,000 in 2026. Its regional hotel network now comprises more than 1,300 properties.

For hotel operators, the announcement details how Hilton is supporting that larger workforce through internal leadership development, changes to staffing practices and employee benefits. The company said sustained investment in these areas has supported its regional growth and helped employees move between jobs, brands and markets.

Leadership development and staffing technology

Hilton identified the development of future hospitality leaders as a central element of its talent strategy. Its programmes include SHINE for general manager development, the Luxury Leaders Program, Women in Leadership and Early Talent initiatives, which the company said help existing employees progress into leadership positions.

The group has also introduced gig-work programmes in Greater China and Japan. Across the region, it said AI-powered scheduling and automation of routine duties allow employees to spend more time on work requiring human interaction.

Hilton said improvements to recruitment technology are helping it reach candidates at scale while simplifying the application experience. Alan Watts, Hilton’s Asia Pacific president, linked the workplace recognition to employee support, career opportunities and a sense of belonging.

Wellbeing support extends to families

Through Thrive@Hilton, its global employee offering, Hilton said it has broadened wellbeing provision beyond basic support programmes, using technology to deliver services. Benefits for employees and their loved ones include the Care for All Wellness Education Hub, personalised coaching, counselling and fertility support.

Other initiatives include Thrive Sabbatical, which allows selected employees to pursue personal interests, and MyStay@Hilton, a framework for leaders to recognise staff. In China, a local wellbeing platform gives employees access to a selected range of Hilton products and services at preferential rates.

Employee feedback underpins regional ranking

According to Hilton, Great Place to Work determines the Asia list using confidential feedback provided directly by employees. The company also reported recent top employer rankings in China, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and New Zealand, alongside hospitality workplace recognition in Australia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Hilton said it had received Best Workplace for Women recognition in Japan for the first time, adding to recognition in Australia, India, Sri Lanka and a seventh consecutive year in China. Globally, Fortune and Great Place to Work named Hilton the World’s Best Workplace in 2025.

Patsy Ng, Hilton’s senior vice president for human resources in Asia Pacific, said employee support and routes to career progression would remain priorities as the workforce reaches new destinations. Watts similarly said Hilton would continue focusing on opportunities for staff to develop their careers alongside the business.