When I was 16 years old, in 1948, my parents took me on my first trip outside the United States. I remember we flew to Mexico City on Eastern Airlines on a DC-3 out of National Airport. I was fascinated by the size of the city and the colorful robes and garb and uniforms that the people were wearing. We went to Xochimilco, which is the floating garden, and we saw a bullfight. For a 16 year old boy, that was a spectacular remembrance.
Well, I'm going to be back in Mexico City speaking to the American Chamber of Commerce. I'm going to tell them that we opened our first hotel outside the United States in Acapulco 40 years ago.
Our partner then was Emilio Azcarraga. He was the fellow who started Televiso, now the largest media company in the Spanish-speaking world. He was a courtly gentleman, but very big and very robust. When I met with him in Mexico City in his office, he led me over to the chest of drawers that he was going to put in his new hotel in Acapulco. He pulled out the bottom drawer, kicked it with his foot and it slammed shut. He pulled it out and did it again. He said, "We've got very strong furniture in this hotel and this is going to be a very successful hotel."
Well, we opened in Acapulco and it was successful and got us started in our international expansion. Today, we have 14 hotels in Mexico and two more under development.
We are also committed as a company to providing jobs and opportunities for our workers in Mexico. Let me tell you about Manuel Leal. Manuel was born in Mexico City. He studied at the University of Illinois in Chicago and joined Marriott in 1990 as a night auditor for the Anaheim Marriott in California. He started his international assignment when he transferred back to the Marriott CasaMagna Puerto Vallarta hotel in Mexico as a night audit manager in 1993. He was then promoted four times. In 2003, Manuel was promoted as Director of Operations at the Mexico City Airport Marriott hotel and later took on assignments at other hotels in the Caribbean and Latin American region. Finally, in 2005, Manuel was promoted to Hotel Manager at the JW Marriott hotel in Mexico. In 2007, he was appointed the new general manager of the Tegucigalpa Marriott in Honduras. Congratulations, Manuel, on your new general manager position.
I'm proud of the opportunities our company offers around the globe. I'm even more proud of Manuel who took advantage of his opportunities.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Story of Opportunity Our First Marriott Hotel in Mexico
I have read numerous times over the last few years of possible properties being developed in South Africa (both Marriott & Ritz) but they never seem to come to fruition. What is on the horizon for this amazing vacation destination?
Posted by: martin | 12/16/2007 at 09:01 AM
Marriott has everything you could possibly want in a vacation hotel. I stay in Marriotts only, when I am away on business and wish that was possible when I was on vacation.
Posted by: Lynne | 12/13/2007 at 03:12 PM
I would love to see MVCI develop some properties in Mexico! I think that would complement the already fantastic portfolio of MVCI properties perfectly.
Posted by: Ted | 12/13/2007 at 05:38 AM
I've stayed at the CasaMagna Marriott's in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta and wow, both are very impressive properties (AWESOME lobby in Cancun!) with employees who go out of their way to remember your name. The Vallarta hotel seemed very involved with the community and it was good to see Cancun recover quickly from the hurricane. I was surprised to see that Marriott hasn't stepped into the Cabo area, alot of others have. Would love to see a JW like the one in Cancun go up in Los Cabos someday!
Posted by: Tina | 11/26/2007 at 02:23 PM
The Marriott hotels was great hotels I have been using Marriott hotels for many years.
Posted by: Grege | 11/24/2007 at 11:20 PM
Nice blog, very informative contents. I also have similar to this, would you mind if i ask you for a link exchange? Regards...
Posted by: Travel Deal | 11/22/2007 at 06:58 PM
Over the years, I have had the privilege to stay at many MC hotels both locally and internationally.Thanks to the HE program!! I am truly amazed and fascinated with the entire global network,it is definitely a Superior Brand.
It is rumoured that,very soon, Marriott will be breaking ground in Guyana. Is this true?
Posted by: faridamc | 11/20/2007 at 01:51 PM
I'm glad to see the international growth. Recently, I spent three weeks in South Africa but was disappointed to find there were no Marriott properties in the country.
Posted by: on | 11/20/2007 at 07:06 AM
It really is a great thing that you have going internationally. By reading your blog over the last few months I have noticed that you and Marriott have a very nice focus on international growth and expansion. I believe this is an excellent opportunity and should do wonders for Marriott now and into the future. Keep up the great blog!
Posted by: William | 11/18/2007 at 02:01 PM
I have been using Marriott hotels for many years. Great Hotels. I do however wonder if the administrator of this blog is really Mr. Marriott himself. Would be great if it was..
Posted by: Marc Klein | 11/16/2007 at 04:06 PM
As I read Marriott's blog I am amazed of how the company started and also fascinated by its international expansion in China/Asia and other places. I am interested in taking the Marriott quality of hotels to Nigeria to be specific. As that country aspires to grow (it seems it is finally getting its act together), I wish and pray that Marriott can begin to explore the possibilities of developing a few hotels in Nigeria. I am interested in the hospitality sector and hopefully will realize this dream someday. How can Mr. Bill Marriott help me achieve this dream? Thank you.
Posted by: Nnamdi Ibebunjo | 11/16/2007 at 12:03 AM
Truly, this is what makes Marriott a superior company and organization. I was hired by Marriott in 1975 as a dish washer in New Jersey under their old B&I division. I was just 22 years old, but what amazed me was how quickly I advanced. I was working for an organization that valued employees. I was promoted quickly over the years and made a wonderful living working for Marriott. Although our divsion was sold a number of years ago, I treasure the years I worked for Marriott. They paid almost all of my tuition for my Master's degree in Business. I would not have been able to do that without their help. I sincerely hope that the Marriott family will always stay an active part od the company that bears their name. Truly a great family and great company.
Posted by: Mark | 11/15/2007 at 12:27 AM
Mr. Marriott- Traveling Internationally has been a passion of mine for many many years! I am a Platinum Marriott Rewards Member and try to stay with your hotels as much as possible. I am very excited about Marriott's expansion in Mexico!!! Do you know if Marriott has any new hotel or timeshare developments planned for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. There's no Marriott presence there and the destination is growing by leaps and bounds??
Posted by: Steve Roth | 11/14/2007 at 09:44 AM
You are right Mr. Marriott. Staff enthusiasm when complemented with hotel managements that exercise healthy and clear standards will for sure produce success stories. They pave the way for employees to feel the full length of their work potential and train their employees to increase their guest care abilities and skills. The sum of such an equation is a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere for the guest. This atmosphere has been achieved satisfactorily in all Marriott Hotels globally. The success story only reveals to what advanced level the Marriott hotels nourish and train their employees to a complete professional level. I have one last comment on the success story Mr. Marriott. "It's Marriott as Usual."
Posted by: Feras Werr | 11/14/2007 at 07:33 AM