In response to the growing importance of India as a hotel market and as a generator of travel to its more than 2,900 hotels worldwide, Marriott International has opened a regional office in Mumbai that will house its area operations and regional sales offices. Rajeev Menon has been named to the newly created position of area vice president for India, Pakistan, Maldives and Malaysia, and Anant Joshi has been appointed regional global sales director for India. Both will be located in the new Mumbai office. Earlier this year, Marriott International announced the expansion of the company's existing hotel portfolio in India from six to 21 properties by the year 2010. Visit [www.marriott.com]. (MR)