I'm just returning from an amazing visit to Asia. It all started in Japan, then on to Hong Kong, Shanghai, and finally Beijing.
Asia is our main growth area and at present with China driving this growth, it's our second biggest market outside of the U.S. We have 58 hotels open today and 52 under contract. We’ll open an average of one hotel a month at least the next three years in China.
The trip has been a great opportunity to see some of these terrific new hotels first hand and witness the exciting and dynamic growth taking place. Across all our brands in Asia, we’re seeing innovation, style and creativity.
We have two new Ritz-Carlton hotels in Hong Kong and Okinawa that are really spectacular. You need to see them to believe them. These photos don’t capture the full picture.
In visiting 22 China hotels, I met our regional teams and associates. It’s interesting to hear some of their stories about how they became part of the Marriott family. This sense of family is very important as we expand globally and keep true to our core values.
When I tour a hotel, no matter what country, I focus on the positive. And I also focus on the happiness of our associates. Putting people first by taking care of the associates is a major reason our guests keep coming back. I’m happy to report that this key component of our culture is alive and well in Asia.
During my trip, I also learned that 13 of our General Managers are Chinese and came up through the ranks, some having spent their entire careers with Marriott. In fact, four of these General Managers are women, which I think is wonderful.
There is so much energy, drive and commitment in Asia. It's been great to spend 10 days here visiting hotels, meeting associates and experience first hand the truly global company that we have become. As I told my daughter, Debbie, “I’m really blown away.” Never did I think this would be borne from a 1927 nine-stool root beer stand in Washington, D.C.
It’s a golden age of international travel. I invite you to visit China and marvel at the largest country in the world and I hope you will stay in our Marriott hotels.
I’m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Marriott has a very good reputation of perfect service in most Chinese mind.
Posted by: Louis | 11/15/2012 at 08:23 PM
I plan to visit my friend in China next February for their birthday and we were looking at staying in a Marriott in Shanghai! We can hardly wait! To hear this news is just awesome! Thanks Mr. Marriott!!
Posted by: GerrianneD | 08/13/2012 at 06:00 AM
Hi Bill
Im a travel agent based in Melbourne Australia and have just returned from a month long tour to different parts of China including the magnifice Jiuzhaigou Valley in northern Sichuan province southwestern China.
If ever there was an opportunity to provide a quality Marriott hotel in China this is it, with staggering tourism numbers im sure your investment would be well spent and would do justice to such an incredible scenic location.
Regards
Andrew
Posted by: andrew | 08/07/2012 at 09:23 PM
China is an amazing place. It boggles the mind to think how young America is in the grand scheme of the world.
Posted by: Guy Manningham | 07/26/2012 at 12:32 PM
I benefit reading this article. I demand to learn more on this topic
Posted by: wedding hall in Vadodara | 07/06/2012 at 03:37 AM
Well Bill, You've done it!!! I'm sure that your father is looking down on all you have done to build this family business and to have Marriott's Hotels now around the world. I'm thinking that your daughter will soon go above and beyond and be the first to build one on the Moon and maybe the first to build a Marriott Hotel Space Station for the private sector that will soon be traveling in space.(they still have to sleep somewhere!!!)
Have a great Day
Skip
Marriott RI-Grapevine Tx
Posted by: Skip | 07/05/2012 at 05:27 AM
Mr. Marriott,
I am Marriott's biggest fan. I love the brand and what it represents. The Marriott name is synonymous with professionalism and excellent manners. Oh, that the world would return to excellent manners. I appreciate your team.
Sincerely,
Marriott Girl
Posted by: Sebrina Brown | 07/01/2012 at 06:47 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott,
I find you and your company so interesting, and I'm so glad that the company is growing successfully!
Congratulations!
Posted by: Danielle Marques | 07/01/2012 at 06:13 AM
Bill
I just spent three days at your new Autograph collection hotel in Venice the Boscolo..it is amazing as a proprty and the staff was fantastic....i love these new autograph hotels...but the one in Venice is just astounding!!!
Posted by: Jim Donohue | 06/30/2012 at 01:35 AM
What an amazing trip and wonderful blog!
Thank you for sharing your experience, Mr. Marriott!
Alinda Yu
Travtar.com
Posted by: Alinda | 06/29/2012 at 09:12 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott,
Iam impressed by reading this blog.
I have a strong positive feeling that we will grow bigger and continue to be successful.
Many Thanks
Sudhagar Subramaniam
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
Posted by: Sudhagar Subramaniam | 06/26/2012 at 10:37 PM
Dear Mr. Marriott,
I enjoy reading your blog. I find you and your company fascinating! Recently I took a special trip to Thailand and stayed at the JW in Koh Lak. It was the most gorgeous hotel I've ever stayed at. It was such a fantastic time and I will never forget it.
I would like your advice if you don't mind. At the moment, I'm employed as the Internet Manager of a small hotel chain in Israel. I left my native Philadelphia 2 years ago after completing the university to by-pass the recession. This has been an excellent experience. I love my job and working with two nice 4 star hotels. I want to go forward and climb the chain, but I find the people "at the top" are only interested in receiving money, not re-investing it in sevices and I don't see an exciting future ahead. If I go back to the USA, it's hard to find a nice marketing position in a hotel. What should I do?
Posted by: Liz | 06/25/2012 at 05:22 AM
Our honor and pleasure to receive Bill Marriott in China.
It is true that this is a golden age of travel. So Service Industry is becoming the bellwether of China development !
Posted by: Amanda Wong | 06/25/2012 at 02:46 AM
Hi, Mr Bill
Greeting from eCommerce team Guangzhou, China!
The next time you visit China, welcome to Guangzhou!
Posted by: Cli738 | 06/25/2012 at 01:25 AM
To me, the most impressive aspect of this blog is the message from the top - from Mr. Marriott - "putting people first by taking care of the associates." Visiting 22 hotels in 10 days is also impressive!
Posted by: Hank Mancini | 06/23/2012 at 06:10 AM
Dear Mr Marriott
It is nice to hear story part of your asia tour and i'm glad Marriott expands so well in china market.
More properties popping up means more travel for you,however when you step into the front doors of thoes properties, it's a boost for all the associates and guests.
I'm really impressed by such a big number of general managers are actually chinese in marriott hotels china,it tells me the future is bright as long as i pursue it.
See you in your next story!
Best wishes
Edwin Jin
Posted by: Edwin jin | 06/22/2012 at 11:57 PM
Your record of 22 hotels in 10 days can only be matched by your new CEO. I go to China every year and stay at the full service Marriott Hotels. We have a lot to learn from the Chinese. The Chinese are extra hard working have gone out of the way meet my individual needs. I did have the opportunity to meet the three General Managers in Guangzhou (China Hotel by Marriott), my repeat visit, Renaissance in Wuhan, repeat visit there as well and the JW Marriott in Shenzhen. All three of the General Managers, happened to be Chinese, appreciated my feedback from the customer’s perspective. The service from these hotels has been unmatched anywhere outside China with exception of JW Marriott in Cancun, Mexico. The JW Marriott Shenzhen, fairly new had the unsurpassed service and quality in there Executive Lounge, anywhere in the World. The JW Marriott Shenzhen’s newly promoted guest relations Manager were super. I have had outstanding service in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong as well. Syed T. A. Naqvi, Platinum Emeritus.
Posted by: Syed T. A. Naqvi | 06/22/2012 at 05:17 PM