Published on
November 4, 2025
As global travel continues to rebound, Marriott International has positioned itself as a key player in supporting tourism through significant growth in hotel infrastructure. The company’s third-quarter 2025 results underscore its commitment to expanding its portfolio worldwide, which directly benefits tourist destinations by providing a wider range of accommodation options for travelers. The addition of nearly 18,000 new rooms across several regions signals Marriott’s ongoing investment in global tourism, particularly in regions looking to cater to growing visitor numbers.
Marriott’s Global Reach Drives Tourism
In Q3 of 2025, Marriott International saw an impressive increase in its global hotel portfolio, adding 17,900 net rooms, a rise of 4.7% from the previous year. This growth is a clear indication of the company’s strategic efforts to cater to the increasing demand for quality accommodations as more people explore new travel destinations. For cities and countries seeking to bolster their tourism industry, Marriott’s expansion helps fill the gap in available lodging options, supporting both leisure and business travelers alike.
The company’s RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) also showed positive growth, especially in international markets, which experienced a 2.6% increase. This indicates strong demand in popular global destinations, a trend that is expected to continue as Marriott adds new properties to its international pipeline. With the U.S. & Canada markets seeing more modest growth, international destinations have become a major source of Marriott’s success, allowing tourists more choices in emerging and established travel markets.
Supporting Destination Growth Through Infrastructure
Hotel chains like Marriott play a crucial role in the development of tourism infrastructure. By expanding into new regions, they not only increase the capacity to host tourists but also help elevate the overall destination appeal. Whether it’s luxury, midscale, or economy accommodation, Marriott’s diverse portfolio provides travelers with the flexibility to choose based on budget and preferences, making destinations more accessible and competitive.
For governments and destination management organizations (DMOs) looking to boost tourism, Marriott’s international growth is beneficial. As the company adds thousands of rooms, destinations with new Marriott properties can attract larger events, conferences, and international guests. This infrastructure also helps improve local economies by creating jobs and driving tourism-related revenue, which is crucial for areas heavily dependent on visitor spending.
Marriott’s global footprint, which now includes over 9,700 properties across the world, highlights its ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of an increasingly mobile and diverse global traveler. More importantly, the company’s development pipeline—which includes nearly 600,000 rooms—ensures that tourism in these regions will have the infrastructure needed to support sustained growth.
Key Benefits for Regional Tourism
Marriott’s expansion is particularly significant for regions outside the traditional tourism hubs. As more Marriott hotels are built in emerging markets, tourists are given more options to explore less-visited destinations, increasing the overall appeal of these areas. For example, regions in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East are seeing a rise in the number of Marriott properties, which helps increase international awareness and attract tourists to locations that may not have had as much visibility before.
The company’s development pipeline includes new properties in both urban centers and resort destinations, ensuring that tourists have access to a wide range of accommodations that align with their travel needs. Whether it’s for business, leisure, or a combination of both, Marriott’s new hotels are contributing to a more diverse and competitive tourism landscape.
Marriott’s Role in Sustainable Tourism
In addition to its efforts in expanding its hotel offerings, Marriott is also contributing to sustainable tourism by prioritizing eco-friendly building practices and supporting local communities. As the company grows its presence in new destinations, it remains committed to reducing its environmental impact through energy-efficient systems, sustainable design, and waste reduction strategies. This aligns with global efforts to make tourism more sustainable and responsible, an increasingly important factor for travelers.
Outlook for Tourism in 2026
Looking ahead, Marriott forecasts continued growth, with projections for RevPAR to rise between 1.0% and 2.0% in Q4 of 2025, and for global net room growth to approach 5% by the end of the year. This expansion will undoubtedly continue to support destination marketing efforts, as more travelers will be able to choose from an even broader range of Marriott hotels when planning their vacations or business trips.
As global tourism continues to evolve, Marriott’s expansion helps shape the future of travel by offering guests more options and supporting the infrastructure of destinations around the world. For travelers, this means more choices and better access to world-class amenities. For destinations, Marriott’s continued growth provides a vital foundation for tourism development and local economic benefit.
Marriott International’s strategic focus on expanding its portfolio of properties worldwide plays a crucial role in enhancing the tourism infrastructure across various regions. As Marriott continues to grow, it not only meets the evolving needs of travelers but also helps bolster the economies of destinations, supporting tourism’s long-term growth and success.
