Hilton is making a decisive push to change how investors view the hotel giant. The company announced plans to move its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to the Nasdaq. At the same time, it appointed Jeff Moore as its new chief technology officer. Moore joins from Uber, where he led a global engineering team of 2,500 people.
CEO Christopher Nassetta described the strategy as “people-led, tech-powered.” He told investors on the third-quarter earnings call that Hilton wants to be valued like a technology platform rather than a traditional hospitality business. The Nasdaq is home to major tech firms like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. Nassetta said the exchange hosts “the world’s most innovative companies,” a group he wants Hilton to join.
Hilton Nasdaq move and tech leadership
The switch to Nasdaq will not change daily operations, according to the company. However, it signals a shift in financial positioning. Nassetta emphasized that the move is about perception and valuation. He argued that Hilton’s technology infrastructure is now a core part of its business model.
Moore will report directly to Nassetta and sit on the executive committee. His role focuses on rebuilding the company’s technology stack. Hilton says this new infrastructure allows it to connect with third-party platforms faster than competitors. The goal is to reduce distribution costs, which the company says will eventually benefit hotel owners.
Moore’s background at Uber is central to this plan. He managed large-scale engineering operations in the ride-sharing sector. Hilton is applying those lessons to its own digital systems. The company believes its direct connections to travel platforms will give it an edge over rivals that rely more heavily on traditional global distribution systems.
AI integration and owner incentives
Hilton claims it is already plugged into every major AI booking agent emerging in the travel sector. Nassetta stated that the company is working with “each and every one” of these agents. This integration is part of a broader effort to modernize how rooms are sold online.
The company highlighted a direct integration with corporate travel platform Navan in July. This deal bypassed traditional global distribution systems. Hilton says this direct approach allows for faster data exchange and lower fees. The company argues that these savings will flow back to hotel owners.
Hilton is also courting owners through its RISE program. This initiative offers fee discounts tied to guest satisfaction scores. A second phase of RISE, focused on technology and AI-driven efficiencies, is expected in the first quarter of next year. This program aims to align the financial interests of the hotel chain with those of its property owners.
The push for technology comes during a period of rapid physical expansion for Hilton. The company reported its largest number of organic openings on record for the third quarter. It added 27,000 rooms across more than 180 hotels. The pipeline currently includes 543,100 rooms, which represents nearly 20 percent of all rooms under construction in the industry.
Nassetta said the company’s technology investments are designed to support this growth. He argued that a modern tech stack is essential for managing a large portfolio of hotels. The company believes that lower distribution costs and better AI integration will help it maintain its market position.
The Nasdaq listing and the appointment of Moore are the latest steps in this strategy. Hilton is betting that investors will reward its focus on technology. The company says it is ready to compete with the most innovative firms in the market.
Source: Skift
