A top Marriot International official said yesterday they plan 33 new projects in the Middle East, in addition to the 33 projects already signed and contracted. President of Marriot International said “We are 33 now and I would envision two or three years we could double that.” However, because Marriot is currently more focused on Africa this figure may fall short. President Fuller explained that in the hotel business when expanding they do not think about market conditions in the short term, but rather “make contracts for 20 to 25 years” He said there will be other recessions in the life of a hotel.
Marriot’s 33 projects in development include include the Ritz Carlton and are mainly in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain.
