Malaka Hilton

Founder & CEO, Admiral Travel International - Sarasota, FL

Admiral Travel International CEO Malaka Hilton founded the award-winning travel agency in 1997. Since that time, Malaka has been identified by Travel + Leisure magazine as a top travel consultant for Egypt every year since 2003. She has also earned similar distinctions from Conde Nast Traveler.

As the daughter of Egyptian and Slovenian immigrants who met in Austria, Malaka was raised as a citizen of the world – going through three passports before turning 13! She fell in love with travel, going on to study at the Florida State University’s Dedman College of Hospitality before beginning her career in the hotel industry.

She quickly realized that travel advising was her true calling, and just a few years after finishing college, launched Admiral Travel in 1997. Later that year, she visited Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa, where she met safari guide Ryan Hilton. The two eventually married and spent many successful years building the business together. While Ryan has since retired from the company and returned to live in Africa, he remains a trusted consultant for specialized African travel when needed. Many of Admiral Travel’s clients have been introduced to the African safari experience, and to a lifelong passion for wildlife, because of ATI’s special connection to the continent. Malaka’s love of travel has been passed down to her two children—Alexandria & Carter who now both work for Admiral Travel.

In 1999, Malaka earned the invitation for Admiral Travel International to join the esteemed Virtuoso network of luxury travel advisory firms, who partner with more than 2,200 of the world’s best and most beloved travel brands.

Egypt remains among her favorite places to visit and plan, estimating her total number of visits somewhere around 100. “So much has happened in recent history that every time I go, I am truly fascinated to learn something new. When it comes to Egypt, it’s always truly magical, which is something I can’t say about that many other destinations.”

Although Hilton is recognized worldwide for her expertise as an Egypt specialist, she designs epic experiences with exclusive access for her guests, which she’s dubbed “ATInsiders,” anywhere and everywhere in the world. ATI’s global connections, many relationships forged firsthand by Malaka herself, are what unlocks doors and creates next-level experiences for our guests. This firsthand knowledge of places, people, and process adds immeasurable value to your itinerary.