Marriott’s big expansion plans
The newly merged Marriott International plans to create a massive footprint across the Pacific.
The plan is to double its size in Australian and New Zealand and across the region, adding 50 more hotels over the next four years.
In addition to that, it is looking to completely refurbish its existing Australian hotels. That will include a $40 million refresh of the Sheraton on the Park hotel in Sydney and a $15 million renovation of the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay.
The growth plans are being driven by Marriott's recently-completed $14 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
Hong Kong-based Marriott International Asia Pacific president and managing director Craig Smith made it clear that Marriott wants to call Australia home.
The business, he said, was even looking at increasing the number of luxury hotels Marriott controls in Australia.
“We could still put in a lot of hotels in Sydney ... and we could have nine or 10 hotels in Melbourne,” Mr Smith told The Australian.
“We don’t have a single Bulgari hotel in Australia.
“We would love to see a JW Marriott in Australia, and we have Ritz-Carltons in Melbourne and opening in Perth, plus it would be wonderful to have a Bulgari, and also we have a W opening in Brisbane and there are opportunities for Sheratons to grow in Australia.”
With 24 Marriott branded hotels already in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, there are 18 more in the pipeline opening in Australia including a W Hotel in Brisbane, an Aloft Adelaide, and a Ritz Carlton in Perth.
The hotel chain is looking at the increasing number of Chinese travellers coming to Australia.
“Ten years ago we would not have predicted that the No 1 travellers to Bali and Phuket would be Chinese; today they are much more sophisticated travellers,’’ Mr Smith said.
“Chinese are being educated in Australia and buying property here. We have 270 Marriott hotels in China so they are familiar with our brands.”
by Leon Gettler, November 4th 2016
