Marriott International has unveiled plans to double its luxury segment presence in Asia Pacific by adding more than 100 luxury hotels to its current footprint of 113 luxury properties. Announced at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) conference in Shanghai, this represents over half of the company’s global growth in this category. With the introduction of 11 new hotels to its luxury portfolio in Asia Pacific, 2017 is already said to be on track to be a breakthrough year for Marriott International. China continues to contribute around half of the new hotels in the region with key cities such as Shanghai and Suzhou being flagged for new properties, while emerging luxury destinations such as Tasmania and Sri Lanka are also on the horizon. Globally, Marriott International has a total of 200 luxury hotels in its development pipeline, building its network of eight luxury brands, which includes The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St Regis Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, Edition and Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, from 365 landmark properties to over 500 luxury hotels.
“Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market for Marriott International outside of North America, with the luxury segment averaging one new hotel every month this year. This region continues to see a growing numbers of high net worth individuals, which combined with dynamic economic growth, has created a strong increase in demand for luxury hotel experiences, which Marriott International will continue to meet,” said Peggy Fang Roe, chief sales and marketing officer, Marriott International, Asia Pacific.
The Ritz-Carlton, with 93 hotels around the world, will expand its Asia Pacific resort portfolio with a debut in Langkawi, Malaysia. In 2018 Koh Samui will mark The Ritz-Carlton’s first resort in Thailand in addition to a debut in Jiuzhaigou, a designated UNESCO Heritage Site in Southwest China.
St Regis, with 42 hotels in 19 countries today, is slated to make debuts in five new destinations in 2017, including two newly-opened hotels in China. This includes The St Regis Shanghai Jingan and The St Regis Changsha, which marks the destination’s highest hotel and includes its own helipad.
W Hotels marked the new year with the opening of W Goa in India and has 50 hotels in 23 countries. The brand will continue to introduce two new landmark properties in China this year. W Shanghai will open at the end of June. In August, the historic garden city of Suzhou will see the inauguration of W at Jinji Lake Circle.
With 102 hotels in 35 countries around the world, The Luxury Collection will mark the opening of The Duxton Club later this year in Singapore.
JW Marriott today includes 82 hotels and resorts today across 27 countries. In Asia Pacific, the brand debuted its first resort in Vietnam earlier this year with JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay. JW Marriott will also make premieres in the Maldives and Jaipur, India by 2018.
Edition, a new generation of luxury brands, premiered The Sanya Edition on Hainan Island in Southern China at the end of last year, marking the brand’s first hotel in Asia. Edition will continue to expand its presence globally with openings in Bangkok, Shanghai and Barcelona over the next 12 months.
