Marriott International continues to expand its portfolio, expecting to open 100 properties in Asia Pacific in 2021,bringing more brands and experiences to new destinations for guests across the region. In 2020, the company celebrated its 800th milestone hotel opening in the region with75 properties added to its portfolio during the year, representing more than one opening per week across the region. Nearly 27,000 rooms were added to the region’s development pipeline in 2020 alone, in addition to the signing of Marriott’s largest branded residences project with close to 4,200 units.
“With the launch of new global industry hygiene standards in April 2020, innovative offerings such as work anywhere packages and hyper-localised marketing and sales strategies, our nimble and forward-thinking approach will continue to lead us through the recovery,”said Craig S. Smith, Group President, International, Marriott International. “We are grateful for the continued resilience and positivity demonstrated by our associates and for the confidence our guests, owners and franchisees continue to have in us. We remain well-positioned to meet the travel demands of our guests across Asia Pacific and the rest of the world.”
Marriott’s leisure bookings in China have been particularly strong, up over 25 percent year over year in the third quarter in Mainland China,demonstrating the resiliency of demand once consumers are comfortable that the virus is under control and restrictions can safely be lifted.The company is introducing more travel experiences across its brand portfolio, including at popular leisure destinations such as Mianyang in the Sichuan province with the expected opening of Sheraton Mianyang, as well in the culturally-rich destination of Nanjing with the anticipated opening ofThe Westin Nanjing Resort& Spa.
“The strength of our pipeline is testament to thelong-term growth prospects in Asia Pacific,” said Paul Foskey, Chief Development Officer, AsiaPacific, Marriott International. “Despite a challenging environment in 2020, we are pleased with the signings we have achieved across the region during the year. We have full gratitude to our owners and franchisees for theirbelief in the resiliency of travel and the strength ofMarriott’s portfolio of brands.”