BETHESDA — Marriott International is starting 2019 with a record global pipeline, with management and franchise agreements for 816 properties, comprised of 125,000 rooms, and openings scheduled for nearly 500 properties with 80,000+ rooms around the world across its portfolio of 30 brands.

“Marriott’s meaningful growth momentum across its portfolio of brands continued in 2018, as hotel owners increasingly turned to Marriott’s world-class teams, leading business platforms, unmatched global scale and captivating brands,” said Tony Capuano, Marriott’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer.

“With the world’s largest pipeline of hotels, a growing loyalty base of 120 million members and a compelling value proposition to our partners, Marriott is positioned to fuel expansion further in 2019.”

As of Dec. 31, 2018, Marriott’s global footprint grew to more than 6,900 properties and more than 1.3 million rooms in 130 countries and territories. Marriott brands made their debut in Finland, New Zealand, Lithuania, Mali and Ukraine. The pipeline also grew to a record 478,000 rooms.

The year also delivered a new record for organic international room signings in Europe and Middle East and Africa, and for organic hotel signings in Asia Pacific.

In the industry’s highest tier, Marriott’s luxury portfolio – including brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott and EDITION – made strides in 2018. The company signed 29 luxury properties consisting of 6,200 rooms across six brands, with projects such as The Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai Hongqiao, a St. Regis in Dubai, and a three-brand luxury project in the D.R.

According to the latest STR data, Marriott’s luxury pipeline is larger than its next three competitors combined.

In 2018 Marriott says its hotel owners began to see greater benefits with growing loyalty program membership. Last week Marriott announced the new name for its amalgamated loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, launching in February 2019.