Half of Company's Future Hotel Growth to Come from Emerging Economies
Published 07-30-13
Submitted by Marriott International, Inc.
As Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) grows beyond its current global footprint of more than 3,800 hotels in over 70 countries, the company is focusing on development which will provide sustainable economic activity and local employment. In coming years, more than half of Marriott’s new hotels will be located in emerging markets where tourism is a major driver of new jobs and economic development. In its just-released 2013 Sustainability Report Update, which updates the company’s 2011-2012 Sustainability Report, Marriott noted substantial progress in job creation in underserved and emerging markets.
Two major sustainable development projects include Marriott’s first hotel in Sub-Saharan Africa—and the largest in Rwanda. The hotel, which is expected to open in 2014, represents the start of Marriott’s aggressive growth plans in Sub-Saharan Africa where the company plans to help fuel the Rwandan travel industry and train young women through a partnership with Rwandan-based Akilah Institute for Women.
In addition, the Marriott Hotel Port-au-Prince in Haiti is expected to open in early 2015, making it the first four-star branded hotel in Haiti. The hotel is expected to help boost the local economy by supporting local vendors, supporting hospitality training and generating more than 200 new hospitality jobs.
“Sustainable hotel development generates opportunity for Marriott in exciting new markets and supports economic development in emerging economies by boosting local tourism, creating new jobs, and supporting local businesses,” said Arne Sorenson, Marriott International’s president and chief executive officer. “While we invite our guests to ‘See the World’ through our portfolio of hotels around the globe, we want them to know how Marriott is working toward a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
Mari Snyder, vice president of social responsibility for Marriott, noted that the company recently collaborated with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to research the economic and community benefit of hotels. “Our initial study of the JW Marriott Lima Hotel in Peru, which employs 350 associates and features 300 guestrooms and 10 meeting rooms, shows that the hotel contributes more than $10 million annually to the Peruvian economy through expenditures on salaries, supplies and services. That was a higher value than anticipated, given prior GIZ research of the tourism and hospitality industries. Hotels are a dynamic factor in the development equation.”
The results of Marriott’s 2013 Sustainability Report Update are reported to shareholders, customers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), Marriott’s Board of Directors and associates. This allows Marriott to inform critical stakeholders about the company’s priorities and actions, and create opportunities to address substantive issues through partnerships and collaboration.
In the report, Marriott captures results from 2012 in the areas of environmental, economic and social responsibility performance. Highlights include:
Environment
Diversity & Inclusion and Youth Employment
Human Rights
Comments and feedback related to the report are welcome at community.engagement@marriott.com. For more information about Marriott’s corporate social responsibility initiatives or for a full copy of the report, visit www.marriott.com/socialresponsibility. For more about Marriott’s environmental initiatives, visit www.marriott.com/environment.
Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.
[1] Compared to baseline 2007. Marriott’s goal is to further reduce energy and water consumption 20 percent by 2020.
[2] Based on Independent Sector’s estimated value of volunteer time for 2012: $22.14 per hour. Independent Sector is a leading forum for charities, foundations and corporate giving programs in America and around the world.
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 72 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012.
The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. There are approximately 325,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties. Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.More from Marriott International, Inc.