Marriott acquisition is MEA’s gain
September 23, 2016, marked history as the largest hotel merger between Marriott and Starwood finally came through. The new company will operate or franchise more than 5,700 properties and 1.1 million rooms, representing 30 leading brands from the moderate
The recent expansion of Marriott International which entails portfolios of 30 leading hotels brands will set a new global standard for unrivaled travel experiences and expanded loyalty whilst providing the agents, tour operators and OTAs one platform. Alex Kyriakidis,
President and Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, Marriott International, stated, “Marriott International is leapfrogging the competition going from around 750,000 operating rooms to 1.1 million operating rooms in 110 countries and 350,000 rooms in the construction pipeline which means by 2020 we will be about 1.5 million rooms globally and half a million associates around the world. We are the largest operator in the Middle East and Africa. Today, we have 52,000 operating rooms in the Middle East and Africa in 30 countries. Our pipeline will take us in the next three years to 90,000 operating rooms in 38 countries, leading the pack in the Middle East and Africa in terms of presence is the UAE. The UAE will be our largest market by 2020, 80 properties and some 23,300 rooms, this is a staggering opportunity which affords us to synergize across our portfolio to work on the top line because when you have that kind of muscle you can maximize the value of your partnership with the tour operators, travel agents and other partners OTAs.”
At a time when travellers place even greater emphasis on enriching and personal experiences, they can now choose from the most diverse selection of hotel brands. With more than 5,700 hotels and 1.1 million rooms in over 110 countries across the globe, guests now have access to the best hotels and resorts wherever they travel. Marriott International’s portfolio now includes a series of quintessential luxury and lifestyle names. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels and EDITION define a new era of luxury travel, with dynamic brands such as Westin, Renaissance and Autograph Collection occupying an evolving lifestyle category. Premium brands like Marriott Hotels and Sheraton anchor the portfolio and provide a broad array of choices around the world for business and leisure travel. And new, fun, accessible experiences at Moxy Hotels, AC Hotels and Aloft add to the portfolio, ensuring our guests have whatever they want, wherever they are in the world.
“We believe that Marriott now has the world’s best portfolio of hotel brands, the most comprehensive global footprint, and the most extensive loyalty programs, providing an unparalleled guest experience. Combining Starwood’s brands with ours better enables Marriott to reach our goal of having the right brand in the right place to serve our loyal guests and welcome new ones. We can now provide a better range of choices for our guests, more opportunities for our associates, and greater financial benefits for our owners, franchisees, and shareholders,” said Arne
Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International.
The UAE will be our largest market by 2020, 80 properties and some 23,300 rooms, this is a staggering opportunity which affords us to synergize across our portfolio to work on the top line