Unveils "3+2+1" China Growth Strategy Connecting the World Through the Power of Travel

SHANGHAI, Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, exhibiting for the seventh consecutive year at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), today unveiled its growth strategy for the China market. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in China, Marriott is committed to advancing its core vision of serving domestic and international guests and connecting the world through travel with its "3+2+1" strategic structure to deepen its market development in China with three major engines of growth, namely diversified brands, loyal member community and destination matrix, and two major strategic focuses on digitalization and talent.

"Marriott's 50 years of development in China epitomizes the dynamic evolution of the domestic culture and travel industry. China has become one of the key markets for Marriott globally. Currently, we operate more than 570 hotels in China, providing more than 90,000 jobs, with 81% local general managers, serving global travelers under 24 brands." Yibing Mao, President of Greater China and member of Marriott International's Global Executive Committee, said, "The China Growth Strategy underscores Marriott's commitment to long-term growth in China and our confidence in the cultural and tourism industry. We will accelerate our presence in China to attract guests from all over the world to visit China, serve our guests at home and abroad, and work with our partners to create a broader future."

The St. Regis Shenzhen Qianhai Overseas Chinese Town

The Best Choice Resort Hangzhou Fuchun Fangcaodi

Moxy Hotel Chongqing

Marriott Signs Record Number of Contracts in China, Diversifies Brands into More Destinations

2024 Marriott International accelerates growth in Greater China and further improves its presence in all segments. Signed over 100 projects with over 20,000 rooms by Q3, a record number of new projects. On average, more than 3 projects were signed and 1.3 hotels opened every week, introducing diversified brands to more destinations.

The Group's growth in the luxury brand segment was encouraging. Marriott now has more than 75 luxury hotels in China, covering 8 brands. Luxury brand hotel signings through the third quarter increased 50% year-over-year, bringing guests more diverse and personalized stops in popular destinations and economically vibrant areas: Sanya (W Hotels), Hangzhou (W Hotels), Shenzhen (The Luxury Collection), Macau, China (The Luxury Collection), and Wenzhou (The Ritz-Carlton). It is worth mentioning that the St. Regis Shanghai on the Bund, which was signed in July, has recently opened its doors, becoming the 60th hotel in the world under the St. Regis brand. In the next three years, Marriott's luxury brand hotels will debut in more popular destinations, such as Suzhou (Ritz-Carlton), Dali (Addison), Guangzhou (JW Marriott), Nanjing (JW Marriott), etc.; and continue to increase its presence in key cities, such as Shenzhen (the second St. Regis, the third JW Marriott), Chongqing (the second JW Marriott), to raise the local The Group has also continued to expand its presence in key cities, such as Shenzhen (the second Regency and the third JW Marriott hotel) and Chongqing (the second JW Marriott hotel), to raise the benchmark of the local luxury hotel industry.

In the high-end brand segment, the Group is actively developing new destinations while focusing on popular cities. Sheraton hotels will bring the vision of "Where the World Meets" to cities such as Xiamen and Hangzhou, as well as Shanghai; Marriott hotels will continue to expand into Changsha and Xi'an, bringing the concept of hospitality to the region. Marriott currently operates nearly 280 premium-branded hotels in China and plans to open more than 30 new premium-branded hotels by the end of 2025. The diversified matrix of premium brands is highly sought after by investors, with the Premier Choice brand signing a number of flips for its distinctive design, including this year's Premier Choice Hotel at 9 Warren Gardens in Shenzhen; two of the first three Premier Choice hotels contracted by DeHazel to open in the next three months; and the debut of the Ortugo Select brand in Hong Kong in early 2025. The Group's Four Points by Sheraton hotels will debut in Hong Kong in early 2025.

The Group's select service brands, including Four Points by Sheraton, Wan Feng Hotel, Moxy Hotel and AC Hotel, have made impressive signings. As of the third quarter, more than 90 projects have been signed in this sector, of which about two-thirds are located in first- and second-tier cities, doubling last year's growth. Among them, Four Points by Sheraton has signed projects such as Four Points by Sheraton Beijing West Railway Station and Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai International Tourism Resort, blending classic and modern practical design to create the right experience for guests; Wanfeng Hotel, which emphasizes on simplicity and beauty, has completed the signing of projects such as Wanfeng Hotel in Luohu, Shenzhen, to create a trustworthy residence; and Moxy Hotel, which was signed at the beginning of the year, opened in the core area of Jiefangbei, Chongqing, a few months after the contract was signed. The Moxy Hotel Chongqing, signed at the beginning of the year, opened in the core area of Jiefangbei in Chongqing just a few months later. This year, Marriott's select service brand hotels were unveiled in popular destinations: Dameisha Wanfeng Hotel in Shenzhen, Wulin Plaza Wanfeng Hotel in Hangzhou, and Four Points by Sheraton Dali Erhai Hotel in Dali, etc., to increase brand penetration and layout in core locations.

Creating a Positive Impact on Society with "360 Degrees of Kindness" Guidance

Marriott International integrates sustainability into its strategy, guided by its "360 Degrees of Good" sustainability and social impact platform. In 2021, we announced that our long-term goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in our value chain by 2050, based on carbon science, has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The Group is actively responding to the national "dual-carbon" goal, with sustainability as one of the main focuses of its daily operations, focusing on five key areas: sustainable certification, energy saving, emission reduction and adoption of renewable energy sources, responsible sourcing, reduction of water consumption, and waste minimization. As part of this, the Marriott Traveler Meetings program "Connect Responsibly" was recently launched to help meeting organizers incorporate sustainable initiatives into their meetings and events. This year, the Group also established partnerships with the China Environmental Protection Foundation and the China Greening Foundation to explore new paths to sustainable development.

The Group is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace environment with a strong focus on people. Currently, approximately 25% of general manager positions in Greater China are held by women, and it has been honored as the "Women's Most Prestigious Workplace" in Greater China for 2024 by the Workplace Excellence® research institute. Marriott is active in corporate social responsibility, having hired 1,200 people with disabilities as full-time employees and providing skills training for students with intellectual disabilities. In addition, Marriott's Business Council of Greater China's annual charity event, "Road to Charity," raised more than RMB 1.17 million to support the education of children in rural areas in partnership with the Yao Foundation, while last year's Business Council raised RMB 1.19 million through its "Ride for Smiles" charity event, which was used to provide free surgeries and related therapies for dozens of sick children.