I. Overview of the International Hotel Industry in September
1. Latest Industry Developments
(1) Recently, Forbes released a list of the world’s 100 most innovative public companies, with Marriott, valued at $20.5 billion, ranking 18th on the list for developing mobile hotel check-in, while Starwood, with a market value of $16 billion, ranked 66th for introducing robot services to serve customers. [Details]
(2) Hilton Group is accelerating its expansion in Chengdu, planning to open 10 new hotels under five major brands—including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, and DoubleTree by Hilton—in the city over the next three years. This figure represents a significant increase of four hotels compared to Hilton Worldwide’s previously announced plan to open six hotels in Chengdu last year. [Details]
(3) Recently, MGM China invested heavily, with a sum of $23 billion, to build MGM Cotai in Macau, aiming to create another MGM “new world.” The plan is to focus on developing art exhibitions on this platform, including original resident shows (Shows), stage plays, and musicals. [Details]
(4) With five consecutive years of rapid growth in the Chinese market, Australian hotel group Argyle Hotels (Argylehotels.com) was ranked as the top Australian hotel brand for the first time in the 2014 “Top 325 Global Hotel Groups” published by the authoritative U.S. hotel magazine HOTELS. [Details]
II. Analysis of the Influence of International Hotel Brands in September
1. Top 20 International Hotel Brand Rankings
(2) Brand Analysis
Recently, Marriott International announced a collaboration with Nankai University and the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association to jointly launch an “International Hospitality Management Talents Launch Program” in China. This innovative model in hospitality education combines long-term internships, campus-based study, and online distance learning, enabling participants to receive comprehensive, high-quality hotel education that integrates both theory and practice.
This move is the latest example of Marriott’s efforts in talent development in China. As the world’s leading hotel management company, Marriott has grown rapidly since its first entry into mainland China in 1997. It currently operates 75 hotels of various types in China, including 20 Marriott-branded hotels, and employs more than 20,000 staff members. Therefore, cultivating hotel professionals is crucial for Marriott to sustain its expansion in China. In response, Marriott has been proactively preparing ahead of time and continuously increasing its investment in hotel education and training.
It is reported that Marriott International has established connections with 24 vocational schools and universities in China, setting up “Marriott Classrooms.” The Marriott Foundation has invested $6 million, with a five-year plan to develop Chinese professional managers and enhance hospitality education in China. Another five-year project, “Journey to Hospitality Leadership,” will provide hospitality education annually to 20,000 students in 50 Chinese schools.
As China’s economic growth slows and competition from domestic enterprises intensifies, multinational hotel groups continuing their expansion in China have an increasing demand for experienced managers and leaders. However, due to the relatively short history of China’s hospitality industry—a relatively young market—managers with limited experience often lack leadership skills. Therefore, Marriott’s initiatives in hotel education and training are not only beneficial for its current operations but also represent a lasting contribution to the future of China’s hospitality industry.