Mariott International is planning to expand its portfolio with 75 Properties already opened across the Asia Pacific in 2020 by adding 100 more properties in the Asia Pacific in 2021.

Marriott International is expecting to open 100 properties in the Asia Pacific in 2021. In 2020, the company celebrated its 800th milestone hotel opening in the region with 75 properties to its portfolio during the year. Around 27,000 rooms were added to the region's development pipeline in 2020, apart from the signing of Marriott's largest branded residences project with close to 4,200 units.  

Commenting on the growth, Craig S. Smith, Group President, International, Marriott International said, "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 package, and hyper-localized marketing and sales strategies, our agile and forward-thinking approach will continue to lead us through the recovery." 

He added, "We are grateful for the continued resilience and positivity demonstrated by our associates and for the confidence, our guests, owners, and franchisees continue to have in us. We remain well-positioned to meet the travel demands of our guests across the Asia Pacific and the rest of the world." 

The company expects to launch its 400th hotel in Greater China and 50th hotel in Shanghai with JW Marriott Shanghai Fengxian's opening in spring 2021. 

"The strength of our pipeline is testament to the long-term growth prospects in the 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. We have full gratitude to our owners and franchisees for their belief in the resiliency of travel and the strength of Marriott's portfolio of brands."

According to a joint report by consultancy Bain & Co. and Alibaba's Tmall Luxury unit, Mainland China is on its way to turn into the world's largest personal luxury market by 2025. Marriott International plans to leverage this market by scheduling openings such as W Changsha, W Xiamen, St. Regis Qingdao, and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve Jiuzhaigou in 2021. With the Ritz-Carlton Reserve opening, China will become the first country in the Asia Pacific to have all of Marriott International's luxury hallmarks.

Marriott's leisure bookings in China have been up with over 25 per cent year over year in the third quarter in Mainland China. This indicates the potential of rising demand that China may witness once the Coronavirus is contained and restrictions are lifted. The company is introducing more travel experiences across its brand portfolio, including leisure destinations such as Mianyang in the Sichuan province with the expected opening of Sheraton Mianyang and Nanjing with the anticipated opening of The Westin Nanjing Resort & Spa.

Apart from Greater China, Marriott International will debut with hotel openings across the Asia Pacific in 2021. In Japan, W Hotels is expected to debut with W Osaka's opening, while The Luxury Collection will debut in Australia with the opening of The Tasman in Hobart. The iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is expected to debut in the Maldives in early summer.

Furthermore, the JW Marriott brand is slated to extend its warm luxury experience to Jeju Island in South Korea with JW Marriott Jeju's expected opening in late 2021. The company's signature wellness brand, Westin, is also highly anticipated to debut in one of India's top beach destinations, Goa, this summer.

Bolstering domestic travel in Japan, the company plans to open six Fairfield by Marriott hotels throughout 2021 along 'Michi-no-Eki' roadside stations. 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 Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands' opening in early 2021.