That would be China. A recent report in Travel Weekly shows the growth potential of an “American Heartland” lodging icon in China. The numbers are rather staggering. Marriott brands, including Ritz Carlton and the upscale JW Marriott division, will open a new hotel in China every month for the next three years. And there is a great deal of growth potential beyond that. Currently, Marriott already has 56 operating properties in China.
The stereotype of a US Marriott begins to fade when we learn that 50% of all Marriott guests in China are Chinese. The article quites Simon Cooper, who heads up the chain’s operations in the Asia Pacific as saying that the largest problem they face are mounting labor costs. Each guest room in China currently requires 30-40% more staff members than similar properties elsewhere in the Marriott system.
