Marriott International On Fast Track For Asia Growth, Expects To Double Number Of Properties In Region By 2016

BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has announced that it expects to more than double the size of its portfolio in the Asia-Pacific region in the next few years. With 132 hotels open in Asia today and a pipeline of signed and approved deals now totaling an additional 143 properties, the company expects to grow to at least 265 hotels by 2016, with more than 80,000 rooms in 16 countries. 

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Commenting on the announcement, Simon Cooper, Marriott International's president and managing director in Asia, said: "We are delighted with our growth in the region and believe it is a great testament to the popularity of our brands and the quality of our hotels in Asia that we expect to double in size by 2016. We operate a strategically targeted brand portfolio and our products clearly resonate with our guests, our hotel owners and the communities in which we operate. We have seen great growth across our portfolio and expect to be launching new brands in the region soon, with the introduction of Fairfield by Marriott in India next year and the launch of our EDITION brand in Bangkok in 2014. We expect to grow dynamically but sustainably in Asia for many more years to come."

Marriott International currently operates eight brands in Asia Pacific: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott Executive Apartments and the recently launched Autograph Collection of hotels that debuted in Asia with the opening of The Stones Legian, Bali this month. The company sees tremendous growth potential targeting different market segments from luxury to mid-scale.

This major growth in the region is driven by consumer preference for the company's global brands as can be seen by the doubling of membership in Marriott Rewards – Marriott International's  award-winning loyalty programme - in Asia last year. Marriott Rewards grew to more than one million members in China alone, which continues to lead the company's Asia growth. With 127 open and signed hotels in China, the company expects to open on average one hotel per month in the country for the five years. In India, 23 hotels with Marriott International's brands are already under construction and the company is likely to grow from 15 hotels to 50-plus hotels in the next few years.

"While China and India are the driving forces for our business in Asia," Cooper continued, "we are also seeing growth with new signings and openings in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and elsewhere in the region. We see this as a golden age of travel around the world, and our Marriott hotels will be there to welcome all travellers. In the process, we are opening doors to a world of opportunity for our guests and associates alike, by offering great careers to our associates across Asia, while delivering rewarding guest experiences across our growing brand portfolio. We expect to create some 36,000 new jobs in Asia through our growth and development to increase our workforce to more than 76,000 associates in the region by 2016 – including some 40,000 in China alone.  

Across Asia, the company signed a record-breaking 13 new hotel deals in August alone. These include a luxury Bulgari hotel in Shanghai, Courtyard by Marriott Amritsar, a Marriott resort in picturesque Dali, a Marriott in Hengyang, and a Renaissance hotel in Xuzhou. Marriott already has a significant market presence in the key cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The company is now entering emerging primary and secondary cities across China and further enriching the portfolio through the addition of more resorts.

In China, Marriott is currently operating in 11 Chinese provinces and expects to be operating in an additional 13 provinces and regions by 2016 including Hunan, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, Anhui and Macau, which represents an additional 32 Chinese cities. Marriott International expects to have hotels in 24 of the 34 provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and special administrative regions in China by 2016.

Marriott has been a tireless advocate for removing the barriers to travel through its membership in the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and World Economic Forum's Aviation, Travel and Tourism Council.  A primary focus has been on new models of mobility, such as the e-visa and reciprocity among nations to make travel easier. The company is also training its associates and teams outside of China to welcome and host many of the expected 80 million Chinese travelers this year with the introduction of its Li Yu programme, which will help make Chinese guests feel more at home.

NOTE: The statements about the opening dates for the new hotels and timing of brand launches are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, not historical facts, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth; and other risk factors identified in Marriott International, Inc.'s most recent quarterly report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-Q; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by our statements. These statements are made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with more than 3,700 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2011.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club.  There are approximately 300,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties.  Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

For press releases and information on Marriott International, Inc., visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR). For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.   

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.