LONDON, UK — When The Westin London City opens its doors today, it will represent more than just the Westin brand’s debut in the UK – it will also mark Marriott International, Inc.’s 1,000th hotel in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
The double celebration comes as the same time Marriott announces more than 200 properties in the region across 2022 and 2023, which amount to 38,000 rooms.
“This growth milestone is symbolic of our rich history and bright future and it feels fitting that our 1,000 property is a fantastic Westin in London,” says Satya Anand, President, Marriott International, EMEA. “Last year alone, we opened nearly 90 properties across EMEA, including brand debuts in destinations such as Ibiza, Reykjavik and Cairo, as well as additional openings in established markets such as London and Dubai. I am excited to further enhance our portfolio, bringing even more unique travel experiences to our guests.”
GROWTH IN EUROPE
Marriott International’s select-service brands, such as AC by Marriott, Moxy Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Aloft Hotels, Element Hotels and Four Points by Sheraton, continue to spearhead growth across Europe, accounting for more than 50% of the company’s current signed pipeline of hotels in the Europe region.
Moxy Hotels for the young at heart is slated to add more than 26 additional hotels to its portfolio in the region across 2022 and 2023, with planned openings including the Moxy Liverpool City Centre (UK), Moxy Paris East (France) and Moxy Pompeii (Italy).
Set to make its European debut in 2023 are Fairfield by Marriott Badhoevedorp Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (The Netherlands) and Fairfield by Marriott Copenhagen Nordhavn (Denmark).
The extended-stay segment remains extremely resilient in Europe, especially with the rise of multi-purpose travel. Last year, Marriott International opened four Residence Inn by Marriott hotels across Europe and plans to open 15 more in city hotspots like Naples (Italy), Vienna (Austria) and Paris (France) in 2022 and 2023.
Conversions also continue to be an important driver of rooms growth across Europe, particularly from independent hotels, representing approximately 30% of the expected hotel openings in Europe in 2022 and 2023. Owner interest remains high for the company’s portfolio of collection brands: Autograph Collection Hotels, The Luxury Collection, and Tribute Portfolio.
LUXURY GROWTH IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Luxury hotels continue to be in high demand, especially across the Middle East, representing over 20% of the company’s signed pipeline units in the region. This year’s highly anticipated openings include W Dubai – Mina Seyahi in April 2022, and the debut of The Ritz-Carlton brand in Jordan in May with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Amman.
In Saudi Arabia, four luxury hotels are expected to open in 2022 and 2023. Planned additions include two luxury hotels at the highly anticipated Red Sea Project, including The St. Regis Red Sea Resort. Qatar is also expected to see the addition of four luxury hotels in 2022 and 2023, including the Palais Vendôme, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Doha and The Doha EDITION.
EXPANSION IN AFRICA
The recent signing of the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in Kenya is expected to mark the brand’s debut in the country and in the luxury safari space.
JW Marriott Masai Mara | Source: Marriott International, Inc.
The company expects to open more than 20 hotels in Africa across 2022 and 2023, including six Protea Hotels by Marriott properties such as the 200-room Protea Hotel by Marriott Accra Kotoka Airport in Ghana, and Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Polokwane in South Africa. The expected openings across the region also include five Four Points by Sheraton hotels, marking the brand’s debut in Rwanda with the Four Points by Sheraton Kigali and the brand’s expansion in Nigeria with the addition of Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene.
