BETHESDA, MD—Marriott International had a record number of organic rooms signings in 2018, ending the year with a record global pipeline. In 2018, the company signed management and franchise agreements for 816 properties, composed of 125,000 rooms, while opening nearly 500 properties composed of more than 80,000 rooms around the world across its portfolio of 30 brands.
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, with Marriott brands making their debut in Finland, New Zealand, Lithuania, Mali and Ukraine. The pipeline also grew to a record 478,000 rooms.
Record setting year for signings in international markets
The year also delivered a new record for organic international room signings in Europe and the Middle East and Africa, and for organic hotel signings in Asia-Pacific, delivering a source of future growth in destinations where international travel is surging, and residents are increasingly joining Marriott’s unified loyalty program.
Marriott’s lead in luxury strengthens
In the industry’s highest tier, Marriott’s luxury portfolio made advances 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 Dominican Republic.
Growing loyalty members drive greater owner benefits
In 2018, Marriott’s hotel owners began to see even greater benefits with growing loyalty program membership, which now stands at 120 million members around the world, reduced charge out rates, higher luxury redemptions and a growing proportion of bookings from direct channels, according to the company.