Marriott International is set to strengthen its global technological capabilities with the launch of the Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, Telangana. This new Global Capability Center (GCC), slated to open in early 2025, marks the first such center for Marriott in India, tapping into the region's dynamic tech talent and robust IT infrastructure.

Hyderabad has emerged as one of India's foremost technology hubs, known for its world-class information technology professionals and thriving innovation ecosystem. Drew Pinto, Marriott’s Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue and Technology Officer, highlighted the significance of the location, stating, “We have chosen to establish the Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad because of its world-class talent and strong reputation as a major IT hub. We appreciate the close collaboration with the Telangana government and look forward to expanding our best-in-class technology workforce.”

This initiative is part of Marriott’s broader strategy to enhance its engineering capacity, develop next-generation solutions, and strengthen security infrastructure across its global operations, which span 141 countries and territories. The new tech center will significantly boost the company’s technology division, enabling them to implement cutting-edge solutions that align with Marriott’s growth and expansion goals.

The Telangana government has been a key player in attracting global companies to set up their GCCs in the region. Duddila Sridhar Babu, Telangana’s Minister of Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, and Industries, remarked, “Telangana has emerged as a global tech leader with over 200 GCCs driving business transformation. Our talent pool includes over 1 million GCC-ready tech professionals and 350,000 AI and Chip designers, with an annual influx of 250,000 engineers. This new GCC advances our vision of making Telangana a global hub for AI, Data Science, and IIoT.”

As of October 2024, Marriott’s portfolio in India includes 29,000 rooms across 17 brands. With future expansion plans, the company expects to increase its room count to over 42,000 in the upcoming years. This expansion will be supported by technological innovations stemming from the Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad.

The launch of this center is expected to further solidify Marriott’s presence in India, ensuring that the company continues to lead in both hospitality and technological innovation. ANSR, a company specializing in establishing GCCs, will provide support for Marriott’s latest venture, ensuring its seamless integration and success.

Marriott International has announced the establishment of its first Global Capability Center (GCC) in Hyderabad, India. This new venture, called the Marriott Tech Accelerator, aims to leverage Hyderabad's skilled tech talent to expand Marriott's global technology infrastructure, engineering capabilities, next-generation solutions, and security across its operations in over 141 countries and territories.

Marriott chose Hyderabad due to its strong reputation as a major IT hub. Drew Pinto, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue & Technology Officer at Marriott International, highlighted the city's talent and collaboration with the Telangana government, stating, "We have chosen to establish the Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, India because of its world-class talent and strong reputation as a major IT hub. We appreciate the close collaboration with the Telangana government on this project and look forward to expanding our best-in-class technology workforce."

Hyderabad has gained recognition as a leading tech destination, with over 200 GCCs already driving business transformation. Telangana’s IT and Industries Minister, Shri Duddila Sridhar Babu, emphasized the state’s efforts in fostering a tech ecosystem. He said, "TTelangana has emerged as a global tech leader with over 200 GCCs driving business transformation. Our talent pool includes over 1 million GCC-ready tech professionals and 350,000 AI and Chip designers, with an annual influx of 250,000 engineers. This new GCC advances our vision of making Telangana a global hub for AI, Data Science, and IIoT. We thank Marriott International for choosing Telangana for their global tech center, reinforcing our position as a technology leader."

The Marriott Tech Accelerator is set to open in early 2025 and will be supported by ANSR, a leader in establishing and operating GCCs for global enterprises.

Marriott has been in India since 1999, when it opened its first property, the Goa Marriott Resort and Spa. The company recently marked the opening of its 150th hotel in the country with the Marriott Katra Resort and Spa. Marriott's expansion in India continues with plans to increase its room count from around 29,000 rooms across 17 brands to over 42,000 in the coming years.

Reflecting on Marriott’s journey in India, Ranju Alex, Area Vice President for South Asia at Marriott International, expressed pride in the company’s 25-year history in the country. "We are tremendously proud of our 25 years of doing business in India. As we celebrate this milestone, we are committed to continued growth in India, with over 80 properties in the development pipeline."

The announcement was made by Marriott’s senior leadership, including Drew Pinto, Global Chief Technology Officer Naveen Manga, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific (excluding China) John Toomey, and other key executives. 

Marriott’s Tech Accelerator is expected to open in early 2025 and will be supported by ANSR, a leader in establishing and operating GCCs for global enterprises.  

SuitePad has unveiled Stay Manager, a new feature aimed at enhancing hotel guest personalization by centralizing guest preferences. This innovative tool allows hotel staff to improve the check-in process, enabling guests to plan their stays in detail via in-room tablets. By integrating these tablets into the hotel’s digital processes, Stay Manager reduces human error and streamlines guest interactions.

The technology vendor emphasizes that Stay Manager facilitates consistent guest communication across various properties of a hotel chain. This capability not only reduces manual labor but also allows hoteliers to offer uniform and tailored services, simplifying the management of stay-related details for both guests and hotels.

One of the standout features of Stay Manager is its ability to automate routine guest interactions, resulting in improved operational efficiency. The interactive workflow displayed on the in-room tablets prompts guests to specify their preferences, including room cleaning options, breakfast bookings, and eco-friendly choices such as carbon offsetting.

SuitePad's integration with the hotel’s property management system (PMS) allows Stay Manager to automatically retrieve crucial guest data, such as checkout dates, minimizing the need for manual input. This automation frees hotel staff to provide more individualized care, enhancing the overall guest experience.

The Breakfast Upsell step is another valuable feature, enabling guests to pre-order meals directly from their in-room tablets. This not only enhances food and beverage revenue but also requires no additional staff effort. Additionally, the Green Option and Carbon Offset features empower guests to make eco-friendly choices easily.

In August 2024, SuitePad further enhanced its offerings by introducing the “Guest Journey Push” feature on the SuitePad admin panel. This allows hotels to automatically deliver relevant information and updates tailored to specific guest profiles through their SuitePads, ensuring a seamless and personalized guest experience.

With the Stay Manager feature, SuitePad continues to revolutionize the hospitality industry by providing innovative solutions that prioritize guest satisfaction and operational excellence.