Behind Today’s Launch of Marriott’s New Digital Travel Magazine
All hotel brands are watching Marriott now as its ambitious content move plays out.
Marriott International News
The journey of the largest hotel chain in the world, Marriott International, Inc. – now with more than seven thousand hotel, residential, and timeshare properties – began with a root-beer stand in Washington, D.C. in 1927 started by J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott. Following its $13.3 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016, it became the largest global hotel company. It currently commands a mammoth portfolio of more than two dozen hotel brands such as JW Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, Delta Hotels, Marriott Vacation Club, Le Méridien, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Courtyard, Fairfield, and W Hotels. Its properties contain nearly a million and a half rooms worldwide. Through its premier loyalty program Bonvoy, it is engaged in partnerships with the likes of United Airlines, Uber, American Express, Hertz, and others to optimize customer engagement.
Marriott’s Apple Pay Play Is Part of a Bigger Mobile Strategy
Marriott is the first large hospitality chain to market with mobile payment, offering another mobile arrow in the company's digital quiver that accounts for 1 out of 5 bookings group-wide.
What Expedia and Priceline Growth Means to an Independent Hotel
Independent hotels and chains will all feel the impact of the consolidation of Orbitz Worldwide into Expedia Inc. Independents didn't have much clout before the acquisition, and the chains will feel the pressure, too.
When Did Big Hotel Brands Fall in Love With User Reviews?
In order for hotels to drive direct bookings, it's better to keep customers engaged and on their websites by providing an unbiased, less controlled take on the property than have them leave and seek out other review and booking channels.
The First Film From Marriott’s In-House Studio Is About Bellhops and Parkour
Marriott is following through on the common ideologies of content marketing more than any other brand, which will make its initiatives even more fascinating to watch in a few years when we can tell whether they actually do or don't work.
Interview: Ritz-Carlton COO on Adapting to Luxury Travelers’ Expectations
The Ritz-Carlton is one of the most iconic luxury brands on the market today, but Humler is aware that a brand name isn't enough to keep guests coming back. Providing the personalized service and technology that they expect is more important than a name.
Best Travel Ads This Week: Making Business Travel and Mass Transit Look Fun
Travel brands selling vacations and luxury suites have a significantly easier job selling consumers on their products than these more stark service providers but adding a light perspective to what can be a tedious form of travel is a good start.
Marriott Hands Out GoPro Cameras as Hotels Try to Encourage Social Posts
Despite the difficulty in measuring an exact ROI, hotels know that gaining awareness across social media is good for their brand and outreach and they want to give guests the tools and scenes they need to make a great photo.
U.S. Hotel Industry, Marriott, Give In and Withdraw FCC Wi-Fi Jamming Petition
Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide and the U.S. hotel industry as a whole got a black eye from pursuing this FCC petition seeking clarification on Wi-Fi jamming. They bowed to intense pressure from the FCC and in some cases the hotels' loyal guests.
Marriott to Expand in Canada With Acquisition of Delta Hotels For $135 Million
Marriott International's pending acquisition of Delta Hotels and Resorts is part of Marriott's plan to expand its portfolio internationally. Canada is a huge source market for Marriott's U.S. hotels so the acquisition should boost business on both sides of the border.