Marriott’s Growth in China Helps Buck New Industry Trend
Photo Caption: Shown here is a deluxe room at the Ritz-Carlton Xi'an in China. RevPAR in the country increased 2.6 percent, Marriott reported Tuesday.
Skift Take
Alibaba does not deserve all of the credit for Marriott's sustained performance in China over the past year, but the partnership with the e-commerce company shows just how mutually beneficial these kinds of agreements can be.
Marriott International is faring better than its industry rivals in the increasingly important Chinese market, thanks to its Alibaba partnership and expanding market portfolio in the country.
While U.S. hotel chains Hyatt and Hilton, and Paris-based Accor reported declines in revenue per available room growth (RevPAR) in China in the second quarter, due to ongoing protests in Hong Kong and the nation’s trade war with the U.S., Marriott disclosed on Monday night positive results in both inbound and outbound Chinese travel.
RevPAR in China for the chain rose 2.6 percent for the period ending June 30, buoyed by the performance of manufacturing markets like Shenzhen and more corporate destinations, such as Shanghai, according to the company.
"When you look across the markets, you see that we have a really powerful luxury and full-service portfolio [in China]. We are also expanding in the select service space, but that has been much more recent for us,” said Marriott CEO Arne S
