Marriott Enters the Cuban Market Like Starwood and Airbnb Before It

Just one day after Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced it would be the first U.S. hotel company to operate in Cuba after nearly 60 years, Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott International has announced that it too will begin doing business in the country. The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of Treasury approved the company's application to pursue a business transaction in Cuba, and Marriott says it is talks to "develop a hospitality relationship with potential partners." Marriott's president and CEO, Arne Sorenson, has long been a proponent of allowing U.S. travel companies like Marriott being allowed to operate in Cuba. He is traveling with U.S. Commerce Secretary Pritzker during President Obama's visit to Cuba, which officially began today. "We are gratified to receive permission from the U.S. government to pursue business opportunities in Cuba," Sorenson stated in a media release. "While there is still work to do before any agreement is reached, we are actively pursuing relationships in the hospitality sector. We have long been convinced that with the right frameworks in place, new economic opportunities, including dramatically expanded travel, abound in Cuba. These could deliver real benefits to the Cuban people and also have the effect of bringing both Americans and Cubans closer together." The release also noted that the company intends to bring its Marriott brands to Cuba, provide hospitality training for Cuban nationals, generate new business opportunities in the hospitality sector, and also support local communities in Cuba. Marriott representatives did not provide any additional information