CIM NEWS MAGAZINE Issue 3 2018 | Page 30

Q&A A focus on luxury CIM caught up with Ramesh Daryanani, vice president of global sales for Marriott International in Asia Pacific, to see what plans the hotel giant has for the Pacific region. Q: What is the growth plan for the region? A: The Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia and Samoa, is a key area in terms of growth for Marriott International. Currently we have 29 properties in operation across the region, with a further 20 under construction. We are on track to grow to 50 hotels across 14 brands by 2020. Marriott International’s development pipeline in the Pacific spans all market segments from mid-scale to luxury. In June 2018, for example, we opened W Brisbane, the first new-build 5-star hotel to open in the city’s CBD in 20 years, followed by Four Points by Sheraton Auckland, Marriott International’s first property in New Zealand. This will be followed by Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Central Park in August and The Westin Brisbane will open in November. We are also exploring secondary and regional markets with the recent signings of Four Points by Sheraton Parramatta, The Westin Resort & Spa Coolum and The Westin Darwin. Q: Initiatives such mobile check-out have been rolled out – how else is technology changing the guest experience? A: Marriott International is committed to innovation in technology, to streamline and personalise the guest experience. As part of this commitment, w