MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton Hotels & Resorts unveiled a 40-foot (12m) traditional Chinese dragon custom designed in China as it kicked off its global celebration of the Chinese New Year last night at Washington Hilton. The brand will celebrate the Year of the Dragon January 23, the official start of the holiday, through February 6 by offering special amenities and traditions to guests at participating Hilton Huanying properties. Hilton Huanying is a unique Hilton Worldwide program for Chinese travelers abroad at more than 60 hotels in 15 countries.

Derived from the Chinese word for “welcome,” Hilton Huanying enables travelers, agents and tour operators to book participating hotels with confidence, knowing the hotels will meet the expectations and cultural needs of Chinese travelers visiting key international destinations.

“Our observance of the Chinese New Year builds on the authentic welcome we provide the growing number of international Chinese travelers through Hilton Huanying,” said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “In key destinations around the globe, we will celebrate the Year of the Dragon with familiar comforts for our guests. As Hilton Huanying continues to expand and enter new markets, we remain committed to meeting the needs of today’s Chinese travelers and providing compelling reasons to choose Hilton.”

Hilton will mark the Year of the Dragon with several distinctive offerings, including:

Featuring displays of oranges and tangerines, symbolic of wealth and good luck in hotel lobbies

Red envelopes containing 1,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points will be presented to each Hilton Huanying guest upon check in. The envelopes, symbolizing luck for the coming year, are traditional Chinese New Year gifts and are typically filled with money

Special menu selections featuring traditional holiday fare will be available for guests and groups planning to celebrate at participating hotels. Authentic cold and hot dishes will be offered – ranging from steamed fish and minced beef to poached bok choy and wok-fried noodles – along with fresh fruit platters

The special Chinese New Year offerings will be in addition to core Hilton Huanying services and amenities, introduced by Hilton in the summer of 2011. Hilton Huanying extends an authentic welcome through amenities, service standards and dedicated Hilton team member training. Chinese travelers find familiar comforts in the arrival, guest room and Breakfast at Hilton experiences.

Elements of Hilton Huanying include: a front desk team member fluent in Mandarin; a selection of Chinese tea upon request, tea kettles, slippers and a dedicated television channel with Chinese programming; and authentic breakfast items including congee, dim sum, fried rice and noodles.

Community leaders, dignitaries and tour operators joined Hilton executives and team members January 17 at Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., a top U.S. destination for Chinese visitors. Following a traditional lion dance, a custom Chinese dragon made its debut. Video and images of the event are available at www.hiltonglobalmediacenter.com/huanying. Five hotels in the Washington, D.C. metro area participate in Hilton Huanying, including: Washington Hilton, Capital Hilton, Hilton Washington Dulles Airport, Embassy Suites Washington D.C. and Embassy Suites Washington D.C. Convention Center.