World’s largest hotel company created
Marriott International has completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts to create the world’s largest hotel company, with 30 brands and over 5,700 properties.
Marriott’s UK and Ireland portfolio now amounts to 80 hotels across 17 different brands, and makes up 15% of the total European portfolio, with over 16,000 open rooms.
Its European portfolio now has 504 hotels open, with nearly 104,000 rooms open and nearly 19,000 rooms in the signed pipeline.
This takes Marriott International from the 10th largest hotel group in Europe to the third largest overall and the largest luxury hotel company in Europe.
The acquisition means Marriott’s distribution has more than doubled in Asia and the Middle East and Africa combined.
Marriott International president and CEO Arne Sorenson said: "We believe that Marriott now has the world’s best portfolio of hotel brands, the most comprehensive global footprint, and the most extensive loyalty programs, providing an unparalleled guest experience.
"Combining Starwood’s brands with ours better enables Marriott to reach our goal of having the right brand in the right place to serve our loyal guests and welcome new ones."
Starwood board members Eric Hippeau and Aylwin Lewis have been appointed to the Marriott board, which also has another member, Bruce Duncan, who is chairman, president and CEO of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
As of today, members of Marriott Rewards, the Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) can match member status to redeem their points across Marriott’s expanded portfolio of 30 brands, offering more choice for travellers than any hotel group ever has before.
A microsite, members.marriott.com, will launch later today for loyalty programme members.
Marriott expects the merger will achieve $250 million in annual corporate cost synergies.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps