Marriott International pushes ahead with Asia growth plans
Some 100 properties expected to open this year
| MARRIOTT International is expecting to open 100 properties in Asia Pacific in 2021, after celebrating its 800th milestone hotel opening in the region with 75 properties added to its portfolio last year. 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. “I am proud of the way we have continued to grow and have moved quickly to adapt to the challenges that arose from the pandemic. 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. Greater China has led the global recovery to date, and the company expects to soon open its 400th hotel in Greater China and its 50th hotel in Shanghai with the opening of JW Marriott Shanghai Fengxian in spring 2021. Banking on recent reports by consultancy Bain & Co. and Alibaba’s Tmall Luxury unit, showing Mainland China is on track to become the world’s largest personal luxury market by 2025, Marriott is expanding its luxury portfolio with expected openings in 2021 including W Changsha, W Xiamen, St. Regis Qingdao and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve Jiuzhaigou. Beyond Greater China, Marriott International continues to strengthen its footprint, with several expected brand debuts across Asia Pacific in 2021. In Japan, W Hotels is expected to debut with the opening of W Osaka, while The Luxury Collection is also slated to debut in Australia with the opening of The Tasman in Hobart. The Ritz-Carlton brand is expected to debut in Maldives in early summer. The JW Marriott brand will enter Jeju Island in South Korea with the planned opening of JW Marriott Jeju in late 2021. The company’s wellness brand, Westin, is also likely to debut in Goa, India this summer. To support domestic travel in Japan, the company plans to open six additional Fairfield by Marriott hotels throughout 2021 along ‘Michi-no-Eki’ roadside stations aimed at revitalising the country’s local sightseeing spots. Japan expects to have more than 30 Fairfield by Marriott hotels by the end of 2023. Melbourne is expected to see the opening of the country’s second W Hotel with W Melbourne in spring and the opening of Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands in early 2021. “The strength of our pipeline is testament to the long-term growth prospects in Asia Pacific,” said Paul Foskey, chief development officer, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “Despite a challenging environment in 2020, we are pleased with the signings we have achieved across the region during the year.” Featured image credit: JW Marriott Shanghai Fengxian, Marriott International |
