Marriott Increases Presence in China

Marriott is making strides in China, as the company has signed a management agreement for seven hotels in the country, with the intention of doubling its presence within the next five years.

The seven new hotels are:
The 320-room JW Marriott Hotel Dalian
The 507-room Renaissance Sanya Resort & Spa
The 269-room Renaissance Zhuhai Hotel
The 260-room Courtyard by Marriott Fuzhou Hotel
The 265-room Courtyard by Marriott Kunshan
The 350-room Hangzhou Marriott Hotel
The 330-room Shanghai Marriott Hotel Minhang

The announcement comes after Marriott commissioned a Marist University poll of business travelers across the globe, which reports China is outpacing Europe and the United States in economic optimism. According to the survey, 81 percent of Chinese business travelers believe their national economy is getting better, and 71 percent view business trips as a necessity (55 percent enjoy it). A significant number of respondents found business travel to be glamorous (70 percent) and, believe it or not, relaxing (68 percent). Even 54 percent said they consider work-related travel to be their vacation.

On the leisure side, 46 percent of Chinese business traveler respondents say they need a vacation to take time away from work and/or work-related travel while 66 percent enjoy extending business trips for a vacation. Meanwhile, 56 percent view leisure travel as necessary and only 3 percent would prefer to stay home instead of taking a personal holiday.

Let's hope Marriott's new properties are green. Of those surveyed, 83 percent of Chinese business travelers view eco-friendly hotel services as a necessity while 60 percent are impressed by properties that minizime their impact on the environment.

Visit www.marriott.com.