Marriott International’s APEC Region Reports Record Growth Momentum in 2025

Marriott International’s APEC Region Reports Record Growth Momentum in 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 15, 2026

Marriott International has reported another year of exceptional expansion in its Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) region, marking its third consecutive year of record-breaking development activity in 2025.

The region signed 187 organic deals in 2025, representing more than 28,000 rooms, a 32 per cent year-over-year increase. By the end of the year, Marriott’s APEC pipeline exceeded 400 hotels and more than 86,000 rooms, reflecting sustained intra-regional and international travel demand, alongside continued owner confidence.

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, highlighted that strong demand trends and a diversified brand portfolio have enabled the company to scale strategically across markets, segments and development models.

Record Development and Owner Confidence

Conversions remained a major growth driver, accounting for 35 per cent of total signings, offering owners speed-to-market and access to Marriott’s global distribution network. Multi-unit agreements represented nearly 30 per cent of signings, signalling growing appetite among owners to scale portfolios under a single hospitality platform.

The top five growth markets in APEC during 2025 were India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan. India led the region with a record 99 signings, representing over 12,000 rooms.

A notable milestone was the launch of Series by Marriott™ in India through a founding multi-unit agreement that converted 26 hotels in a single day, adding approximately 1,900 rooms. Operating as Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott, the brand debuted globally in India and reached 37 open properties across 23 cities by the end of 2025.

Strong Luxury and Lifestyle Momentum

Luxury remained a strategic priority, accounting for approximately 19 per cent of 2025 organic room signings. Brands such as JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton and The Luxury Collection recorded the highest number of luxury signings.

Key luxury developments announced in 2025 include:

  • JW Marriott Hotel Johor Bahru (expected 2027), marking the brand’s anticipated arrival in Malaysia’s southern state.

  • Pottuvil, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (expected 2032), set to debut along Sri Lanka’s eastern coast.

  • The Ritz-Carlton, Fiji, Namuka Bay (expected 2032), marking the brand’s entry into Fiji’s Coral Coast.

  • Fraser’s House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Singapore (opened January 2026), strengthening the brand’s presence in Singapore.

Marriott also sustained momentum across midscale and lifestyle segments. The launch of Series by Marriott in India and the continued growth of Four Points Flex by Sheraton reflect its strategy to expand flexible, design-forward offerings tailored to evolving traveller preferences.

Portfolio Milestones and Emerging Destinations

In 2025, Marriott opened 109 properties across the APEC region and celebrated the opening of its 700th property in the region: Legacy Mekong, Can Tho, Autograph Collection. Located on a private islet in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, the opening underscores the company’s strategy to expand into culturally rich and high-growth emerging destinations.

By the close of 2025, Marriott operated more than 730 properties across 22 countries in APEC, spanning 27 brands.

Notable 2025 openings included:

  • The Laurus, a Luxury Collection Resort in Singapore (October 2025), marking the brand’s debut in the city.

  • The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection (October 2025), offering two private islands in the Maldives.

  • The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection (December 2025), introducing the brand to the Philippines with a wellness-focused concept.

  • Moxy Kathmandu (December 2025), marking the lifestyle brand’s debut in Nepal.

With a robust development pipeline and diversified portfolio across luxury, premium, select-service and midscale segments, Marriott’s APEC region enters 2026 well positioned to continue delivering sustained growth and long-term value for owners and guests.


Solis Nature creates a new path for nature-centric travel with curated stays

Solis Nature creates a new path for nature-centric travel with curated stays

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 7, 2026

The way people travel is evolving. Modern travellers are no longer looking for just a place to stay; they are seeking experiences that offer relaxation, wellness, connection, and unforgettable memories. Recognising this shift, Solis Nature has emerged as a dedicated platform for discovering and booking exceptional nature centric stays.

Founded with the vision of creating a meaningful connection between travellers and unique experiences, Solis Nature curates a collection of distinctive accommodations including nature resorts, luxury villas, boutique hotels, farm stays, treehouses, and immersive retreats.

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The platform was envisioned under the leadership of Dr. Deepak Mittal, Managing Director of the Sonalika and Solis Group, inspired by a growing appreciation for nature, wellness, and experiential travel. The idea was developed to address a growing need within the travel ecosystem for a specialised platform focused exclusively on nature led stays and meaningful experiences.

Unlike traditional travel marketplaces that compete through the size of their inventory, Solis Nature focuses on thoughtful curation. Each property featured on the platform is carefully selected based on its uniqueness, natural surroundings, hospitality experience, and ability to create memorable guest journeys.

From peaceful forest retreats and countryside escapes to luxury nature stays and offbeat destinations, Solis Nature helps travellers discover hidden gems that offer more than accommodation. These are experiences designed to help guests reconnect with nature and create lasting memories.

With the increasing popularity of wellness tourism, sustainable travel, slow travel, and experiential holidays, Solis Nature is creating a new category within the travel and hospitality industry.

The platform has witnessed remarkable growth, achieving approximately 10x revenue growth over the last six months and recording more than 250% quarter on quarter growth. This success reflects the rising demand for curated travel experiences among modern travellers.

By combining technology, discovery, and a passion for nature, Solis Nature is building a trusted ecosystem where travellers can discover exceptional stays and hospitality partners can showcase their unique offerings to the right audience.

Solis Nature is not just changing where people stay; it is transforming how people experience travel.

solisnature.com, +91 9220644322. 


PM Modi Unveils ₹1.06 Lakh Crore Projects, Dedicates India’s First Greenfield Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex

PM Modi Unveils ₹1.06 Lakh Crore Projects, Dedicates India’s First Greenfield Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex

By Hariharan U

Published on July 5, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated, and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth approximately ₹1.06 lakh crore in Rajasthan, covering sectors such as petrochemicals, transport, railways, roads, renewable energy, aviation, and power infrastructure.

A major highlight of the visit was the dedication of India’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex at Pachpadra in Balotra. Developed as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Government of Rajasthan, the 9 MMTPA refinery-cum-petrochemical complex has been established with an investment of more than ₹79,450 crore. The project is expected to strengthen India's energy security while boosting domestic petrochemical production.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for Jaipur Metro Phase 2, a project valued at over ₹13,000 crore. The new 41-kilometre north-south metro corridor will connect Prahladpura to Todi Mod through 36 stations, linking key industrial and residential areas, including Sitapura and Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKI).

Further strengthening Rajasthan’s transport infrastructure, Mr. Modi dedicated the Churu–Sadulpur and Churu–Ratangarh rail doubling projects along with the four-laning of National Highway-125A and Jodhpur Ring Road Section-2.

In the renewable energy sector, the Prime Minister dedicated SJVN Limited’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Energy Project and inaugurated a power transmission line built at a cost of over ₹1,900 crore for evacuating renewable energy from the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). He also laid the foundation stone for a 530-kilometre transmission system to support future renewable energy projects in the state.

During the event, Mr. Modi handed over appointment letters to around 54,000 newly recruited youth across various departments of the Rajasthan Government.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, developed at a cost of ₹480 crore. Spread across more than 23,000 square metres, the terminal is designed to handle up to 20 lakh passengers annually and features modern passenger facilities. Inspired by Rajasthan’s royal architecture, the terminal blends traditional elements such as arches and jharokhas with contemporary design. The new facility is expected to boost tourism, trade, and employment across the Marwar region.

The Prime Minister also launched the Modified UDAN Scheme, aimed at strengthening regional air connectivity over the next decade. With an allocation of ₹28,840 crore, the revamped scheme seeks to expand aviation infrastructure and improve connectivity to underserved regions under the vision of Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik.

Separately, Mr. Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility at Sanand, Gujarat, under the India Semiconductor Mission. Developed with an investment of over ₹7,500 crore, the facility will have an annual production capacity of up to 5 billion semiconductor chips once fully operational.

The semiconductor facility currently employs more than 300 professionals and is expected to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect high-skilled jobs over the next five years. During his visit, the Prime Minister will inspect semiconductor manufacturing and packaging operations before addressing a public gathering.

Speaking at the Rajasthan event, Mr. Modi said that New India continues to move forward with determination regardless of the scale of challenges. He added that the new airport terminal in Jodhpur and the infrastructure projects launched during the visit would strengthen tourism, industry, employment, and economic growth across the region.


EkoStay Expands Premium Villa Portfolio Across Maharashtra and Karnataka

EkoStay Expands Premium Villa Portfolio Across Maharashtra and Karnataka

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2026

EkoStay has expanded its premium private villa portfolio across Maharashtra and Karnataka, introducing a range of new boutique stays ahead of the monsoon travel season. The latest additions strengthen the brand's presence in some of India's most sought-after drive-to leisure destinations and nature-focused getaway locations.

The newly launched and recently added properties include Vana Mora in Nashik, Wada Crest in Wada, Casa Elara in Igatpuri, Casa Bella in Lonavala, and Forest Cube Villa in Chikmagalur. The expansion reflects EkoStay's focus on offering design-led private stays that combine comfort, privacy, and immersive experiences close to nature.

Each property offers a unique stay experience. Wada Crest is a 3BHK villa designed for wellness retreats and intimate group getaways, featuring a private pool and spacious outdoor areas. Casa Elara in Igatpuri offers a luxury 5BHK experience surrounded by mountain views, while Casa Bella in Lonavala is a large-format villa spread across a 10,000 sq. ft. garden, making it ideal for celebrations and group stays.

In Karnataka, Forest Cube Villa marks EkoStay's growing presence in South India's experiential travel market. Located amidst the coffee plantations of Chikmagalur, the villa blends contemporary design with a peaceful forest setting, offering guests a relaxing nature-inspired escape.

The expansion comes as more travellers opt for private villas, nature stays, and short driveable holidays instead of traditional hotel stays, especially during the monsoon season.

Speaking about the expansion, Varun Arora, CEO & Co-Founder, EkoStay, said, "Over the last few years, we have seen a very visible shift in the way people travel, especially during monsoon and short leisure breaks. Travellers today are looking for experiences that feel more private, immersive and emotionally connected to the destination itself rather than simply transactional stays. Maharashtra and Karnataka continue to emerge as very strong leisure markets because they offer accessibility, natural beauty and year-round travel demand, especially from urban audiences looking for quick but meaningful escapes.

"With properties like Casa Bella, Casa Elara, Wada Crest and Forest Cube, our focus has been on creating hospitality experiences that combine comfort, design, privacy and a strong sense of place. Every property has its own personality, whether it is a forest-facing retreat, a luxury celebration villa or a peaceful countryside escape. As a brand, we are consciously building a portfolio that feels experiential rather than standardised."

Husain Khatumdi, Managing Director & Co-Founder, added, "The demand for professionally managed private villas has evolved tremendously in recent years. Guests today are not only seeking luxury, but also reliability, operational consistency and curated hospitality experiences. Our expansion strategy is focused on identifying destinations that have strong long-term leisure potential and building a high-quality villa ecosystem around them. We believe the future of hospitality lies in highly personalised stay experiences that still maintain strong operational standards."

Commenting on operations, Sohail Mirchandani, COO & Co-Founder, said, "As we continue expanding across multiple destinations, a strong operational backbone becomes extremely important. We have been heavily investing in standardisation, SOP-led execution, guest servicing systems and internal operational processes to ensure that the experience remains consistent across every EkoStay property. Scaling boutique hospitality successfully requires both emotional hospitality and strong backend systems working together."

Speaking about the company's destination strategy, Zishan Khan said, "One of our biggest focus areas has been identifying destinations and properties that have strong experiential value and long-term hospitality relevance. Whether it is a misty coffee estate in Chikmagalur, a scenic villa in Igatpuri or a luxury celebration property in Lonavala, we look at how travellers emotionally connect with a destination. Beyond acquiring inventory, our larger vision is to build highly curated villa clusters that deliver memorable stay experiences while also helping homeowners professionally monetise their properties."

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