Marriott International expects 50 percent growth across the Middle East & Africa region, reaching over 240 hotels by 2020

Hotel company announces newest signing of 300-room Marriott Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah

Marriott Hotels brand to lead company brand openings in Middle East & Africa this year

Dubai, UAE, 28 May 2015

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is setting the stage for significant and ambitious growth within the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region according to its president and chief executive officer, Arne Sorenson. During a recent visit to Dubai for both the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) and the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), Mr. Sorenson outlined regional growth plans that anticipate the company's MEA portfolio to over 240 properties by 2020, with plans to add roughly 80 properties and almost 16,500 rooms. At present, the hotel company operates or franchises 164 properties in the MEA region, across 9 brands in 18 countries.

"The Middle East and Africa region offers a tremendous opportunity for Marriott International," said Sorenson. "We have ambitious plans for growth internationally and the region will play a large part in helping us achieve both our short-term and long-term targets. By the end of this year we should surpass 1 million rooms open or in development worldwide, with new hotels expected to create 150,000 new hotel jobs as they open."

During his time at ATM, Mr. Sorenson, along with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of ASQ Hotels also announced the signing of the company's newest property, in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, the Ras Al Khaimah Marriott Resort. Due to open by 2019, the 300-room beach-front Marriott Hotel will be the first Marriott Hotels branded property in the emirate, reinforcing the company's plan to increase its UAE footprint to 25 properties by 2020.

Commenting on the announcement, His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saqr Al Qasimi said, "We are very excited about adding the Marriott to Ras Al Khaimah's hotel portfolio. Last year we achieved several milestones as part of our plans to develop the hospitality and leisure sectors in Ras Al Khaimah. Our growth strategy is very active and has managed to attract premium hotel operators from around the world that understand the opportunity in our emirate and would like to contribute to its success. We believe that the Marriott hotel will be well-positioned to meet the needs of both the local and international travellers, as it is supported by the brand's upscale and modern style." 

Transcending borders as well as market segments , Marriott International's MEA growth over the next few years should see, among other key areas, its footprint increase in the priority markets of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia with almost half of the properties set to open, located in these two countries. Within KSA, the hotel company expects to almost triple the size of its operations with the addition of over 4000 rooms across 20 hotels by 2020, building upon its current 1800 rooms across 8 properties.

Marriott International has also outlined its region-wide plan to strengthen the presence of its brand portfolio, particularly the Marriott Hotels brand. This year alone, the MEA region will see more Marriott Hotels opening than any other Marriott International brand and along with it, the introduction of the brand into three new MEA destinations including Fez, Morocco, where a 224-room property is set to open, and Constantine, Algeria, where a 244-room Marriott Hotel is opening. Rounding out the three new properties, the opening of the 426-room Marriott Hotel in Makkah in Saudi Arabia will also mark a significant milestone for the brand as its first-ever property in a holy city. By 2020, the brand should see 20 Marriott Hotels open across the region.

Supporting this growth, Marriott International is projecting to increase its MEA base of talent to 21,000 Associates by 2018.

"Our growth and success to date within the Middle East and Africa is in large part to the members of our team, our associates, who by 2018 are projected to be 21,000 strong within the region," said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Marriott International Middle East and Africa. "It is our associates - those who strive day in and day out to care, help and assist in every possible way - that make the company the very best it can be."

Along with key growth within the UAE and KSA and following last year's acquisition of Protea Hospitality, Africa will also remain a key priority for the company with openings set to take place in Algeria, Morocco, Ghana, Ethiopia and Rwanda in 2015. Four new Protea properties are also expected to open in Cape Town, South Africa this year, further solidifying the hotel company's position as the largest hotel operator on the continent. Within Egypt, we are growing with the recent signing of the iconic Mena House and the opening of The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo boosted by the recent regional announcement of the #Activ8Egypt campaign, which reinforces the company's commitment to the revival of Egypt's tourism sector.

-Ends-

About Marriott Hotels 
With 500 hotels and resorts in nearly 60 countries around the world, Marriott Hotels is evolving travel through every aspect of the guest's stay, enabling the next generation to Travel Brilliantly. Boldly transforming itself for mobile and global travelers who blend work and play, Marriott Hotels leads the industry with innovations, including the Greatroom, Future of Meetings and Mobile Guest Services that elevates style & design and technology. All Marriott Hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com.

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About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a leading global lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  

© Press Release 2015