Marriott International, Inc. has unveiled its expansion strategy in Greater China, which builds on the company’s “Brand + Destination” development plan to enhance guest accommodations through its portfolio of 30 brands.
Marriott plans to add 47 hotels this year, totaling more than 12,000 rooms. This is expected to bring Marriott’s total number of properties in the region to over 500 hotels and more than 150,000 rooms by the end of the year.
Marriott currently has more than 475 hotels across over 130 destinations in Greater China. With the addition of the new properties, the group’s presence will grow in key regions, with significant development in the Yangtze Delta Region, the Greater Bay Area and the Bohai Rim Economic Circle.
The region’s domestic travel base has been resilient and is expected to continue and evolve positively with international global dynamics, said Yibing Mao, president, Greater China, Marriott International.
“With an eye on changing guest demand, we are strategically building our portfolio under the ‘Brand + Destination’ strategy and matching brands with complementary destinations to inspire more guests to explore the region,” Mao said.
LUXURY EXPERIENCES IN NEW LOCATIONS
The anticipated openings of luxury properties will see Marriott strengthening its luxury portfolio in Greater China.
Joining an exclusive collection of just five Ritz-Carlton hotels globally, Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will launch in southwest China, 400 kilometers from Chengdu, later this year. Set in a nature reserve, the property will comprise 87 private villas and offer experiences rooted in the destination’s history, culture and natural beauty.
W Hotels will expand its portfolio with W Macau – Studio City, expected to open in Q3 2023. Marking the brand’s debut in Macau, the hotel will feature a W Sound Suite, the brand’s signature on-site recording studio.
JW Marriott Hotel Xi’an, located in the Xi’an Economic and Technological Development Zone, will open later this year. The hotel will have 333 rooms and two dining venues and will feature panoramic views of the city.
PREMIUM BRANDS
Responding to evolving demands for high-quality service and experiences, Marriott aims to add 20 properties to its premium brand collection. The portfolio includes Westin Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Executive Apartments, Autograph Collection Hotels and Tribute Portfolio Hotels & Resorts brands.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts will launch in four destinations — Beihai, Ninghai Xuzhou and Taizhou.
Marriott Hotels has six anticipated openings this year in emerging cities like Shaoxing, Foshan and Shantou. The expected debut of Foshan Marriott Hotel, Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Baiyun and Zhuhai Marriott Hotel Jinwan will add to the company’s existing presence in The Greater Bay Area.
Westin Hotels & Resorts will be introduced in the historic city of Shenyang of Liaoning province and in Yantai, the core city of the Bohai Economic Rim.
While Autograph Collection Hotels is expected to debut in Qingdao of Shandong province, Delta Hotels by Marriott will add two new properties in Xi’an of Shaanxi province.
SELECT SERVICE BRANDS TO FUEL GROWTH
Marriott’s select-service brands are expected to constitute more than half of the group’s total openings in the region through the year, with 24 planned additions. The select-service brands include Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, Fairfield by Marriott, AC Hotels by Marriott, Aloft Hotels and Element by Westin. Debuts in emerging destinations — such as Yuyao and Zhuji in Zhejiang province and Qiongzhong in Hainan province — will propel growth for the company’s expansion.
According to Marriott, these openings are expected to spur domestic travel by encouraging visitors to explore new destinations in first and second-tier cities (such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou), as well as popular leisure destinations (such as Qiandao Lake and Jiuzhaigou).
Marriott’s development strategy for Greater China highlights the company’s plans to contribute to the country’s tourism growth and add quality and sustainable development to China’s travel industry.