SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA More than 200 Marriott International general managers, sales and account execs, and travel intermediaries were here at the Costa Rica Marriott May 18-21, getting a snapshot of chain growth along with a showcase of properties.
Michael Beardsley, svp/North America, told attendees in the 21st century, Marriott is moving from hotel products to our customer relationships from transactions to relationships, building these relationships with events such as this.
He stressed the event was not centered solely on what the travel partners could bring to the table, but how value could be brought to the entire partnership and together how can we create a win-win.
The intermediaries represent some $250 million to $300 million in annual group sales for Marriott.
As a company that s growing, we need to maintain our brand preference with all our brands, Beardsley added, with a nod toward the assembled travel partners.
Beardsley reported the distribution of properties was expected to increase by 200 hotels by year s-end, representing 3,500 rooms coming out of the ground. Another 230 are scheduled to open in 2002.
Gary Grove, regional vp/Caribbean/Latin America, Marriott International, told attendees international growth and distribution has grown tremendously in the past decade starting out with 18 international hotels in 1989 and building to 300-plus in 2000. Another 50 hotels are projected to be developed outside the United States by year-end 2001, which will give the travel partners more choices.
The pipeline is full. We re opening a hotel every 36 hours, Beardsley told the enthusiastic crowd. (5/23/01) Stefani C. O Connor