Tag Archives: Marriott

Emirates and Marriott International, Inc. signed an agreement to open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge – a 40-key all-inclusive luxury lodge set to be situated on a 7,000-acre conservancy in Australia’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area. Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge is expected to mark the first Ritz-Carlton Lodge in the world and a major milestone for New South Wales’s (NSW) regional tourism. An expression of the renowned luxury brand, Ritz-Carlton Lodges are conceived as purpose-built sanctuaries in nature, thoughtfully designed to reflect their surrounds while prioritising minimal environmental impact and delivering a heightened sense of luxury, comfort and craftmanship synonymous with The Ritz-Carlton. Anticipated to open mid-2026, the project offers a new benchmark for luxury travel and potential to reinvigorate the region’s tourism offering. Since 2006, Emirates has invested AU$150 million in the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, developing the property with deep respect for its environmental and cultural heritage. This has included the careful restoration of historically significant landmarks — such as the original homestead dating back to 1832 — alongside extensive conservation programmes to restore indigenous flora and fauna, including the planting of more than one million native trees across the site. Emirates is now investing an additional AU$50 million in renovations, working in consultation with Marriott to transform the property into a world-class expression of The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service and refined design, with a deep connection to place. As a reflection of Emirates’ commitment to the location, following the closure of Wolgan Valley Road in 2023, Emirates has maintained the site with a small number of locally employed staff while the property was unavoidably nonoperational. From the resort’s founding, Emirates has worked closely with the …

Marriott Bonvoy and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have signed a strategic partnership which will see Marriott International’s award-winning travel platform appointed the Official Accommodation Partner for ICC through to 2029. The deal unites the world of cricket with the world of memorable travel stays and experiences, giving Marriott Bonvoy’s 260 million members the opportunity to embrace the excitement of the game across continents and showcases Marriott Bonvoy’s extensive offerings to cricket’s passionate global fan base. “Cricket continues to grow as a global sport, with rising fan engagement worldwide and momentum,” said Peggy Roe, EVP and Chief Customer Officer, Marriott International. “With more than 2 billion fans globally, we are proud to serve as the ICC’s Official Accommodation Partner and look forward to delivering exclusive access and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our members who are passionate about cricket.” The agreement covers all ICC Men’s events over the next four years: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, the ICC World Test Championship Final 2027 in the United Kingdom, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 in Australia and New Zealand, the ICC World Test Championship Final 2029 in the United Kingdom and the ICC Champions Trophy 2029 in India. With a combined footprint of more than 450 properties in the markets where ICC events are held, Marriott is well positioned to host teams, fans and members travelling domestically and internationally for the games. Fans travelling to attend ICC events will be able to stay at Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of hotels across the world and when they purchase official travel packages with ICC Travel …

Over 80% of travellers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia (KSA) intend to go on more or the same amount of holidays in 2026 compared to 2025 (84% in UAE and 83% in KSA). This includes 54% who plan to go on an increased number (56% in UAE and 52% in KSA), according to new industry research amongst 4,017 adults in UAE and KSA. Figures from Marriott Bonvoy’s 2026 Ticket to Travel Report suggest continued overall growth in the industry. In 2026, the average traveller is planning 3 domestic holidays within their own country, 2 short-haul breaks (four-hour flight or less) and 2 long-haul trips. The report also shows that on average people book their holiday 2.1 months in advance (2.5 in UAE and 1.6 in KSA). Visiting multiple countries (not just destinations) within one trip – will continue to be common for travellers in 2026. 75% say they ‘probably or definitely’ plan to do this next year. Popular international travel destinations for travellers in the UAE and KSA include Italy, Switzerland, France and Turkiye. Nearly three quarters of travellers (72%) say they have used AI to plan or research a holiday (77% in UAE and 68% in KSA). Over a fifth (23%) say they use it ‘all the time’ (24% in UAE and 22% in KSA). ChatGPT is the favoured AI platform for travel planning – used by three quarters (76%) of those who have previously used AI for this purpose (81% in UAE and 70% in KSA). It is followed by Gemini at 38% (41% in UAE and 35% in KSA) and Copilot at 21% (23% in UAE and 19% in KSA). Reinforcing the increased familiarity and trust travellers …

Marriott International, Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement with Invest İnşaat to debut Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy® in Türkiye. Situated at Vadistanbul area, one of Istanbul’s most prominent business and lifestyle destinations, the project further expands Marriott’s growing portfolio of extended stay and premium apartment-style accommodations across the region. Construction of Invista, Istanbul, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy has commenced, with an anticipated opening in 2026. Access Hospitality will collaborate with Marriott International and Invest İnşaat as the third-party operator for the franchised property. “Marriott International continues to see rising demand for premium apartment-style accommodations in major primary and secondary cities,” said Begüm Kaya, Senior Director, Development – Türkiye, Marriott International. “We look forward to working with Invest İnşaat to introduce Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy® in the country. This milestone highlights our commitment to expanding innovative lodging options in the market that meet the evolving preferences of today’s travellers.” Bahattin Uçar, Chairman of Invest İnşaat added, “We are proud to once again collaborate with Marriott International on this landmark project. Vadistanbul represents the future of urban living in Istanbul, and bringing Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy to this vibrant development reflects our shared vision to deliver world-class hospitality and lifestyle experiences in Türkiye.” Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy offers a truly independent stay with sizable living spaces and sophisticated locally inspired design, making each stay refreshingly unique. Located within the Maslak Koru phase of Vadistanbul, the property will feature a curated selection of 130 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments designed for travellers seeking space, comfort, and flexibility. Plans for each unit include a separate living area, full kitchen, and in-unit laundry amenities. The property is also slated to include a fitness …

Rashed Darwish Al Ketbi (RDK) Commercial Investments and Marriott International announced a signed agreement to open a St. Regis resort in Abu Dhabi’s Mirfa region. Expected to open in 2029, The St. Regis Mirfa Beach Resort, Abu Dhabi is anticipated to offer an all-villa, waterfront sanctuary nestled along the serene shores of Mirfa featuring the timeless elegance of the St. Regis brand. “We continue to witness a robust appetite for luxury experiences across the UAE and look forward to introducing the St. Regis brand to the tranquil coastal enclave of Mirfa,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “The St. Regis Mirfa Beach Resort, Abu Dhabi will offer a truly distinctive escape—one that honours the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, while delivering the timeless elegance and bespoke service that define the St. Regis legacy.” “We are proud to expand our longstanding relationship with Marriott International through the introduction of the St. Regis brand in Mirfa — a location of remarkable natural beauty and untapped potential,” said Raja Zeidan, Chief Operation Officer of RDK Commercial Investments. “Guided by our visionary Chairman, Mr. Rashed Darwish Al Ketbi, this collaboration reflects our continued commitment to shaping exceptional destinations that honor their environment while setting a new benchmark in luxury hospitality for the region.” The St. Regis Mirfa Beach Resort, Abu Dhabi is anticipated to feature a collection of 63 private beachfront and floating villas designed in harmony with unobstructed views of the coastline. Each villa is expected to offer a seamless indoor-outdoor experience with expansive sea views, floating pools, upper and lower decks, skylight flooring, shaded canopies and private lifts. Other planned amenities include an array …

Marriott Bonvoy and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More announced a new global partnership, uniting two of the world’s most trusted travel loyalty programmes. This collaboration aims to enhance the travel experience for millions of members by offering expanded benefits, streamlined connectivity, and more rewarding journeys. Under the new agreement, members of both programs will enjoy increased opportunities to earn and redeem points and miles across a broad portfolio of hotels and airlines, reflecting a joint commitment to quality, consistency, and global reach. This strategic alliance highlights both brands’ focus on creating meaningful travel experiences and delivering added value to their loyal customers. The partnership is set to roll out new integrated features in the coming months, making it easier for travelers to enjoy seamless perks across both hospitality and aviation sectors. The announcement comes as travel rebounds globally and loyalty programs play a growing role in consumer decision-making. Both companies have emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of travel.