Marriott International, which says much of its future expansion will be outside of the US, plans to triple its number of properties in Mexico in the next five years.
The Bethesda-based hotel giant has signed agreements with four separate hotel developers for a total of 29 new hotel properties in Mexico.
Marriott currently has 16 hotels in Mexico.
The new hotels will be mostly Courtyard by Marriott properties, but also include at least three resort properties.
“We have watched Mexican tourism evolve into the vibrant, appealing product it is today and are delighted to see Mexico’s growing middle class spurring national tourism as well,†president of international lodging Ed Fuller said in a statement.
The new hotels should also attract growing throngs of European and Latin American tourists.
Marriott’s second-quarter earnings fell 24% on a decline in US travel.
Its international market continued to grow, with double-digit growth in Central and South America, the Middle East and Asia.
Report by David Wilkening
