KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Marriott International Inc revealed its plans to open 20 hotels across Malaysia in the next five to 10 years during a roundtable media discussion on Tuesday at W Kuala Lumpur. This is in line with the company's goal to expand its brand in the region, said Marriott International chairman of the board David S Marriott.

Some of these hotels include The Millen in Penang, which is slated to open later this year; Iconic Marjorie Hotel in Penang, via a franchise agreement with Iconic Penang Sdn Bhd, to open by year end; Sheraton Johor Bahru in Johor in 2025; and The Westin in Penang, via a collaboration with Westfield Global Sdn Bhd, in 2026.

In addition, Marriott also said the company is signing with SKS Group to open Courtyard by Marriott Subang in 2026 and with Ideal Property Group to open Penang Marriott Hotel Queens Waterfront and Marriott Residences Queens Waterfront in Penang in 2029, and is opening a franchise hotel named AC Ipoh in 2025.

While most of these upcoming hotels are located in areas where Marriott’s many brands already have a footing, Marriott International area vice-president for Indonesia and Malaysia Ramesh Jackson said Ipoh is a new territory for them.

“That's a new destination. If you don't already know, from Singapore, we have [around] four to five flights every day that are heading to Ipoh. So, that's a huge market for us. Over the next few years [we are expanding] pretty much in the same destinations, except we might expand further North and in the East Coast.”

Commenting on why the company decided to expand in Asia Pacific, Marriott International president of Asia Pacific excluding China Rajeev Menon said his team observed an upward growth trend in the region’s hotel industry.

“When humanity at large was locked up in our respective homes during Covid, we all figured out nothing was more important to us than our freedom and ability to travel. As soon as borders opened up, we saw people come out and travel across the world. Today, consumers are willing to pay more for experiences.

“Consumers are very focused on their own sustainability carbon footprint. They are focused to pay more and willing to pay more for brands that are sustainable. They want to contribute and engage in practices when they are on holiday, either engaging with the community or doing things to help reduce their carbon footprint. Thus, we have a lot of growth in this region.”

On his market outlook for the country’s hotel industry, Ramesh said it is positive as Malaysia already has several plans in the pipeline to increase tourism interest. “We spent time with the prime minister today, and he was very bullish about what's happening in Malaysia, what the future is, what are we doing with the airports in Malaysia, and what are we doing in terms of increasing flights.

“In the next three years, we've got great stuff happening. Next year Malaysia will be the host for the Asean Summit 2025, which will help bring in a lot of business travellers. They're not just going to come to KL, there are meetings scheduled in Desaru and Langkawi.”

He said the Visit Malaysia campaign, which will take place in 2026, is expected to drive tourism numbers up to 36 million. The following year, in 2027, the country is expected to host the 2027 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Sabah and Penang.

“Again I think it's going to be a big year for Malaysia so in the short term, or in the next three years and beyond, I think the outlook for Malaysia's travel tourism is very bright,” Ramesh added.