Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1356169
B M & T ••• March/April 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 9 MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL EXPECTS TO MORE THAN DOUBLE ALL-INCLUSIVE PORTFOLIO IN AN AGREEMENT WITH SUNWING TRAVEL GROUP Company Plans to Add 19 Resorts to its Robust All-Inclusive Offering, Expanding Presence to Antigua and St. Lucia Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) recently announced a significant planned expansion of its all-inclusive portfolio through a long-term agreement with Sunwing Travel Group's hotel division, Blue Diamond Resorts, which has an extensive portfolio of resort properties throughout the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico. The agreement is expected to propel Marriott into the list of top 10 global all-inclusive players by adding 19 franchised resorts totaling nearly 7,000 rooms across six destinations and more than doubling the company's presence in the all-inclusive segment to 33 properties by 2025. The majority of the properties are expected to be converted into Marriott's Autograph Collection by mid 2021. "We are thrilled to work with Sunwing Travel Group and expand into two new leisure destinations – St. Lucia and Antigua," said Tony Capuano, Group President, Global Develop- ment, Design and Operations Services, Marriott Internat- ional. "Blue Diamond's expertise in the all-inclusive segment and high-quality resorts will help ensure that these properties serve as excellent additions to the Marriott portfolio. Today's signing is a testament to Marriott International's scale and loyalty platform, and we look forward to providing travelers seeking an all-inclu- sive experience with more choices in the Caribbean and Latin America." Marriott International launched its multi-brand all- inclusive portfolio platform in August 2019 and has 9 open hotels across Costa Rica, Barbados and Mexico with an additional 5 hotels in the pipeline in Mexico, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Brazil. With this agreement, another 19 are expected to join the portfolio. The platform will provide the company's 145 million Marriott Bonvoy members the option to earn and redeem points for the convenient, pay-one-price concept. "We are excited to enter into this agreement with Marriott International, and introduce Blue Diamond Resorts' portfolio of hotels to their Autograph Collection brand," said Stephen Hunter, CEO, Sunwing Travel Group. "Our luxurious, award-winning hotels will benefit from Marriott's world-renowned reputation and esteemed travel program, all while bolstering our mission to bring unparalleled vacation experiences to customers." The following resorts are anticipated to convert to the Autograph Collection: Mexico 840-room Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa 343-room Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun 566-room Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun 332-room Planet Hollywood Adults Scene Cancun 457-room Royalton CHIC Suites Cancun Resort & Spa Dominican Republic 730-room Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa 320-room Royalton CHIC Punta Cana Resort & Spa 525-room Royalton Splash Punta Cana Resort & Spa 317-room Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino 168-room Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana Jamaica 352-room Royalton White Sands Montego Bay 228-room Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay 140-room Hideaway at Royalton Negril 407-room Royalton Negril Resort & Spa St. Lucia 290-room Royalton Saint Lucia Resort & Spa 166-room Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia Antigua 294-room Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa Costa Rica 294-room Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica