Marriott International plans to add more than 140 hotels and resorts outside the US and Canada - representing more than 34,000 rooms in 43 countries - during the next four years.
As part of this global growth strategy, more than 125,000 rooms were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development by the end of 2007.
The group says that it anticipates rising consumer confidence and one billion international tourism arrivals by 2010 - which will result in Marriott International outside the US and Canada either managing or franchising nearly 500 hotels and offering travellers a choice of approximately 126,000 guest rooms by the end of 2011.
The group will expand its luxury, deluxe, mid-market and extended stay brands, with the largest concentration of openings in the short-term in China, India, the United Arab Emirates and Thailand.
Properties planned include Luxury JW Marriott hotels in the UAE, UK, China and India, Deluxe Marriott brands in Hong Kong and Dubai, and Deluxe Renaissance hotels in Paris and Doha.
”We have signed contracts for all 140 hotels and we are excited to be in a position to respond so positively to this coming wave of travellers,” said Marriott president and managing director of international lodging, Ed Fuller.
”Thanks to our availability to deliver results even during uncertain times and clear preference our hotels and brands enjoy among major customer groups, our lodging products continue to attract strong interest among global developers and investors.”