Tourexpi
Marriott International reported a year of strong
expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region in 2025. The hotel
group signed a record 94 agreements, adding more than 10,400 rooms to its
development pipeline – a 40 percent increase in deals and more than 30 percent
growth in signed rooms compared with 2024.
During the year, Marriott opened 39 properties with
4,292 rooms. By the end of 2025 the company operated 555 hotels with more than
95,000 rooms across 37 countries and territories in the region.
Brian King, President of Enterprise Transformation and
the Caribbean and Latin America at Marriott International, said the results
confirmed the company’s strong market position. “In 2025, Marriott solidified
its leadership position in Caribbean and Latin America once again as the
largest hotel company in the region, marked by another year of market-leading
growth.”
Conversions drive expansion pipeline
Hotel conversions played an important role in the
company’s growth strategy. Nearly 30 properties with around 3,000 rooms were
signed through conversion projects in 2025, accounting for roughly 30 percent
of the total rooms added during the year. At the end of 2025 the regional
pipeline included 45 conversion projects with more than 6,000 rooms.
Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer for
Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America, said the development
momentum reflected strong demand from hotel owners and investors across the
region.
Luxury and all-inclusive resorts expand
Marriott continued to strengthen its luxury presence
in the region. By the end of 2025 the luxury portfolio included 71 operating
hotels and 38 projects in the pipeline with more than 18,000 rooms.
Among the most notable openings were Nekajui, a
Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica, and Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in
Mexico. The company also expanded its all-inclusive segment with projects such
as Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Resort in Mexico, and W Punta
Cana, the brand’s first all-inclusive hotel worldwide.
Further developments are planned, including the JW
Marriott Costa Elena Resort All-Inclusive in Costa Rica, scheduled to open in
2026.
Midscale growth led by City Express
The midscale segment also recorded strong expansion,
driven by the City Express by Marriott brand. In 2025 the company signed 28
agreements for the brand across the region, representing more than 3,100 rooms.
City Express is expanding into several new markets
including Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. By the end
of the year the brand operated nearly 150 hotels with more than 17,700 rooms
across the region, with additional projects in the development pipeline.
Brazil remains a key growth market
Brazil continues to play a central role in Marriott’s
regional strategy. The company currently operates 15 hotels across nine brands
in the country and has more than 20 additional projects planned.
Recent developments include the opening of The Westin
São Paulo in 2025 and upcoming projects such as the Tropical Hotel da Amazônia,
a Tribute Portfolio Hotel scheduled for 2026.
With its expanding portfolio across luxury resorts,
urban hotels and midscale properties, Marriott aims to further strengthen its
presence in the Caribbean and Latin America while responding to changing travel
demand and new opportunities for hotel owners in the region.
Image
Credit: © Marriott International
The most interesting news
Read the News

Turkish tourism stays resilient despite regional conflicts
Strong summer demand keeps visitor numbers stable as TURSAB calls for broader tourism products and tighter rules for foreign digital booking platforms
Read the News

Carnival Tropicale opens bookings ahead of 2028 Galveston debut
Carnival Cruise Line’s fifth and final Excel-class ship will sail from Texas to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico from April 2028
Read the News

PAM Hotels expands MICE focus across Mexico and Latin America
The group presented 14 properties across nine brands at IBTM Americas 2026, targeting new business from meetings, incentives, congresses and corporate events
Read the News

Nicaragua waives VAT on tourism services during September holidays
Hotels, hostels and restaurants can join the nine-day tax incentive from September 12 to 20 as Nicaragua seeks to stimulate domestic travel during its patriotic holidays
Read the News

Asia: Agoda identifies six emerging destinations for sleep tourism
From Japanese hot springs to Vietnamese mountain lakes, Agoda highlights quieter Asian destinations for travelers increasingly prioritizing rest and recovery
Read the News

Caribbean and Brazil: Palladium Hotel Group unveils festive season program
Grand Palladium, TRS Hotels and Family Selection resorts will offer special dining, entertainment and in-room experiences across Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Brazil
Read the News

Brazil: Pantanal opens up a world of jaguar safaris and nature adventures
Brazil’s vast tropical wetland combines wildlife watching, river journeys, traditional ranch life and conservation experiences across Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul
Read the News

Eurowings opens new crew training centre in Dusseldorf
New 2,000-square-metre facility near Dusseldorf Airport will train up to 150 crew members a day, with virtual reality technology to follow in 2027
Read the News

UK tourist tax plans raise concerns over international competitiveness
WTTC warns uncapped overnight visitor levies in England could reduce demand, divert spending abroad and put tourism jobs and investment at risk
Read the News

Qatar Airways expands winter network to more than 170 destinations
Canberra and Zanzibar return to the network as the airline adds frequencies across Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and the Middle East
Read the News

Istanbul Airport targets luxury aviation with new private terminal
Around 3,600 VVIP passengers have used the JETEX-IGA facility since May, with particularly strong demand from Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East
Read the News

Hilton ranks as Asia’s best workplace for second consecutive year
The hotel group marks a decade as the region’s highest-ranked hospitality employer while its Asia-Pacific workforce grows to more than 99,000
Read the News

Germany’s inbound tourism gains momentum during summer season
International overnight stays rose 3.2 percent in July, while travel industry sentiment points to further growth in the months ahead
Read the News

Eurowings expands winter network from Germany and the Czech Republic
New routes and extended services connect Berlin with Bologna, Dusseldorf with Milan and Tallinn, and Prague with Finnish Lapland
Read the News

Agoda matches Asian hidden gems with the twelve zodiac signs
From Niseko’s ski slopes to Ninh Binh’s limestone landscapes, Agoda turns astrology into inspiration for exploring lesser-known destinations across Asia
Read the News

Colombia adds 20 new international air routes in 2026
Ten airlines are expanding connectivity from the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, adding almost 15,500 weekly seats to Colombia
Read the News

Thailand: TAT promotes wellness and MICE tourism at Gastech 2026
Thailand is using the global energy conference in Bangkok to showcase wellness, culture and responsible travel to more than 50,000 international professionals
Read the News

Nicaragua strengthens tourism promotion in Canada
The Nicaraguan Tourism Institute presented the destination to travel industry professionals in Toronto and Montreal as part of the Canada Roadshow 2026
Read the News

Türkiye ranks among top non-EU destinations for European travellers
Eurostat data shows Türkiye was one of the three most popular destinations outside the European Union for EU residents in 2024
Read the News

ALTA aviation conference focuses on regulation and competitiveness
More than 170 airline executives, lawyers and industry experts discussed legal and aeropolitical challenges facing aviation across Latin America and the Caribbean
Read the News

Emirates expands travel rehearsals for neurodiverse families in Australia
Airport and aircraft simulations in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne are designed to help passengers with autism and sensory sensitivities prepare for their journey
