Marriott International Expands in China With Ritz-Carlton Deal

Marriott International, Inc. MAR has taken a significant step in expanding its luxury portfolio in China. The company announced a partnership with Xiamen Green Development Investment Group to introduce The Ritz-Carlton brand to Xiamen Island in Fujian Province. This move underscores Marriott’s commitment to delivering elevated guest experiences in high-demand destinations.The Ritz-Carlton, Xiamen, will be a key part of a mixed-use development in the Siming District. The project will feature retail spaces and a 340-meter office tower, the tallest in Xiamen and Fujian Province. Marriott Executive Apartments will also be included, catering to long-stay travelers. With stunning sea views from nearly half of its 228 guest rooms, proximity to cultural and leisure attractions, and convenient access to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport. The property is poised to attract both corporate and leisure guests.The hotel will offer world-class amenities, including a grand ballroom, multiple meeting spaces and exceptional culinary options. Guests can indulge in fine dining at the Chinese restaurant, relax in the elegant lobby lounge or enjoy panoramic views at the destination bar. Leisure facilities, such as an indoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, aim to enhance the guest experience.Marriott Executive Apartments Xiamen will provide 144 fully furnished units designed for long-term stays. These apartments will include access to shared facilities like a swimming pool and fitness center, and offer exclusive amenities, such as a Residents Lounge for social and business gatherings.Marriott's expansion of its footprint in China with The Ritz-Carlton, Xiamen strengthens its position in the luxury hospitality market and aligns with the region's dynamic growth trajectory. This strategic move indicates Marriott’s focus on delivering value to its investors and unforgettable guest experiences.MAR’s Price PerformanceIn terms of price performance, Marriott’s shares have climbed 15.5% in the past three months, outpacing the industry’s 11.5% growth. The company has been capitalizing on strong global travel demand and an uptick in group bookings. During the third quarter, group RevPAR grew 10% year over year, driven by higher room nights and an increase in the average daily rate. Additionally, business transient demand improved, while leisure transient RevPAR continued to exceed pre-pandemic levels.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchMAR’s Zacks Rank and Stocks to ConsiderMarriott currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector have been discussed below.Cinemark Holdings, Inc. CNK currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here.CNK delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 164.8%, on average. The stock has surged 116.4% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNK’s 2025 sales indicates growth of 11.1% from the year-ago levels.Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. NCLH currently has a Zacks Rank #2. NCLH delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.2%, on average. The stock has surged 24.7% in the past year.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NCLH’s 2025 sales and earnings per share (EPS) indicates growth of 8.4% and 25.4%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. RCL currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. RCL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 16.2%, on average. The stock has surged 85.5% in the past year.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RCL’s 2025 sales and EPS indicates growth of 9.5% and 23.8%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%.Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Marriott International, Inc. (MAR): Free Stock Analysis Report Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL): Free Stock Analysis Report Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH): Free Stock Analysis Report Cinemark Holdings Inc (CNK): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks