Marriott International is a global lodging company that develops, manages and franchises a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Its core activities include hotel and resort management, franchise operations, property development and the provision of centralized services such as reservations, marketing and loyalty program management. The company’s brand architecture spans market segments from luxury and premium to select-service and extended-stay, enabling it to serve a wide range of business and leisure travelers as well as corporate and group customers.
The company traces its roots to the hospitality business founded by J. Willard Marriott in 1927 and has evolved through multiple strategic reorganizations over decades. In the early 1990s Marriott’s operations were restructured to separate property ownership from hotel management and franchising, establishing the firm’s long-term focus on brand development, management services and global expansion. Marriott is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and has built an international footprint through management contracts, franchise agreements and development partnerships.
Marriott operates worldwide, with hotels and resorts across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, serving both urban and resort markets. In addition to lodging, the company supports its network with centralized distribution and technology platforms and a global guest loyalty program that aims to drive repeat business and cross-brand engagement. Its product offerings therefore combine brand standards, property-level operations and corporate services designed to support owners, franchisees and guests.
Senior leadership has included long-standing involvement from the Marriott family alongside professional executives responsible for global operations and development. The company’s governance and management teams oversee strategy across brand development, global distribution, and owner relationships while focusing on growth through both managed and franchised properties. Marriott’s business model emphasizes scalable brand management, geographic diversification and strategic partnerships with property owners and developers.