Despite the global economic slowdown, Marriott International said it was planning to open 21 new hotels in China, 24 in India and eight in Thailand. -- PHOTO: AP
HONG KONG - HOTEL group Marriott International said Monday it was planning to open 57 new hotels in Asia over the next four years, mainly targeting the Chinese and Indian markets.
Despite the global economic slowdown, the company said it was planning to open 21 new hotels in China, 24 in India and eight in Thailand.
The new hotels would create 15,000 new jobs in eight Asian countries, the company said in a statement.
'China, India and Thailand have demonstrated significant strength in recent years,' said Ed Fuller, president and managing director for international lodging at the US-listed firm.
Marriott, which operates JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance brands, currently operates 109 hotels in 13 countries across the region.
Among its new projects is its first property in the Maldives and the first JW Marriott branded resort in Vietnam. -- AFP
