Hotel Lays Off Workers Amid Expansion Plans

Timeshare companies are taking a beating because of the economy and it's costing Central Florida residents their jobs.

Hilton Grand Vacations, which is headquartered in Orlando on Metrowest Boulevard (see map) has laid off full-time employees from its staff of 3,500.

Eyewitness News reporter Robert Maxwell has learned that there were 187 company wide layoffs at the Hilton Grand Vacations.

A Hilton representative said they plan to expand in Orlando's tourist corridor and was eager to talk about expansion plans.

"We see a lot of opportunity for tourism and so we are very bullish on Orlando," said a Hilton representative.

In a statement released by Hilton's corporate headquarters the international hotel chain confirmed that a number of full-time positions were eliminated across the organization, specifically at the Hilton's Grand Vacations division where timeshares are sold at sprawling resorts.

What's unusual about the Hilton layoffs is they come at a time when the Hilton family has big expansion plans in Orlando.

Hilton proudly told Channel 9 its timeshare properties are growing with the first phase of Club Parc Soleil, which is a seven phase 52-acre project south of Sand Lake Road.

A Hilton hotel is planned for the Old Knights Inn on International Drive and next to the Orange County Convention Center, the 1,400-room Orlando Hilton is set to open in the summer of 2009.

Channel 9 tried to find out why they cut jobs while there were plans to expand in Orlando, but no one at the Hilton executive office would discuss the layoffs.

"I'm sorry sir, but we cannot comment. We gave you a number you can call," said one representative.

WFTV called the number, but the corporate spokesperson wouldn't detail the job losses only the expansion.