Latest news with #Marriott
Skift
18 minutes ago
- Business
- Skift
Kill the Front Desk: CitizenM CEO Says Marriott Backs Its Tech and AI Vision
The boutique hotel that figured out how to make tiny rooms feel luxurious is about to find out if corporate ownership kills cool. CitizenM's CEO Lennert De Jong believes Marriott's approach to tech and service are very promising. CitizenM built its reputation by doing everything traditional hotels don't: digitizing the check-in experience, offering tiny rooms, and hiring staff based on personality rather than past training. Now that Marriott is acquiring CitizenM for $355 million, industry watchers are asking whether the corporate giant will strip away what made it special. CEO Lennert De Jong – employee number one when CitizenM launched in 2008 – isn't worried. In his first public interview since the acquisition announcement, he argued at Skift's Data and AI Summit that Marriott gets the brand's mission: He thinks Marriott is just as obsessed with killing the front desk as he is. Watch the interview here: Tech Innovation De Jong said that when CitizenM's leadership fielded acquisition offers from various potential owners, they considered Marriott's
Irish Independent
25 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Sabrina Carpenter breaks album chart records with longest streak in top five
The Espresso singer, 26, beat the record with Short N' Sweet holding on to the top five album chart for 43 consecutive weeks. She surpasses Ed Sheeran who previously held the title with 42 weeks for his 2021 album =. This comes after the US pop star announced she will be releasing a new album called Man's Best Friend later in the summer. Meanwhile, Oasis have rejoined the top five with their hits collection Time Flies … 1994-2009 reaching number two on the UK albums chart as fans prepare for their highly anticipated Oasis Live '25 tour. The Britpop band, who split in 2009, confirmed their long-awaited reunion in August 2024 and will open the tour in July in Cardiff, followed by performances in Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. The group will continue on with concerts scheduled around the world including Canada, the US, Mexico, Australia and Japan. Claiming the leader board for the first time is musician James Marriott with his album, Don't Tell The Dog. Speaking to Official Charts, Marriott said: 'Thank you so, so much for my first-ever Official Number 1 album. 'It's been such an amazing week travelling up and down the country, doing a little show. I'm just mind blown! Thank you so much for supporting me over the last week, and the last few years. This Number 1 Award goes out to all of you!' Marriott's album is also the biggest record of the past seven days on wax and became the most popular LP in UK independent record shops, topping both the Official Vinyl Albums chart and Record Store chart . He previously reached the top 20s with his 2023 debut album, Are We There Yet, reaching number 17 in the chart. The rest of the top five is made up of Ed Sheeran's Tour Collection, +–=÷×, which claims number four and followed by Pulp's More. Meanwhile, the singles charts is reclaimed by Alex Warren's Ordinary at number one, followed by Carpenter's recent single, Manchild. Ravyn Lenae's Love Me Not remained at number three, along with Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan at number four. Jumping up the singles chart is DJ and producer MK, also known as Marc Kinchen, with Chrystal for their song Dior which moved from number 17 to number five. Speaking to Official Charts, MK said: 'Thank you, UK. This is crazy! I didn't expect this at all, I appreciate it so much!'
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Purpose, Data, Empathy, and AI: Highlights from Cannes Lions
By Shrenik Gandhi Yesterday was a classic Cannes. A little sunburn, a lot of walking, and five sessions that left my head buzzing in the best way. 1. Luana Iurillo (Pernod Ricard) – Purpose Without Pretence Luana opened the day with the kind of honesty you want to see on big stages. No jargon, no performance, just a reminder that belief inside an organisation can sometimes outmuscle even the biggest budgets. Pernod Ricard's journey from internal conviction to global resonance is proof that when purpose is real, it travels. 2. Emily Twomey (Razorfish) with Peggy Fang Roe (Marriott) & Amy Hu (New York Life) – Data That Cares Emily said, 'Data needs a soul.' I've seen enough dashboards to know how easily we forget that. The panel didn't just talk about numbers, they talked about impact. No grand claims, just a clear point: data is only as good as the lives it touches. I was scribbling notes like it was final-year college all over again. 3. Global CMO Roundtable – Media Is Now Empathy This session felt like eavesdropping on the smartest dinner table in the business. One CMO put it simply: 'Media planning is empathy planning now.' That line landed hard. It's not about reach anymore; it's about relevance and respect. I bumped into a couple of old industry friends from India — those spontaneous Cannes reunions that feel like catching your breath. 4. Andy Bird (ex-Disney) – Campaigns That Truly Heal Andy walked us through work that didn't just get clicks, it changed lives. The 'Neki Ki Raah' campaign, where dhaba menus doubled as eye tests, stood out. That's the kind of storytelling that stays with you and gets stuck to your soul. 5. Jason Morton & Don Sklenka (Claritas) – AI Can't Feel The last session of the day. No fear-mongering, no hype. Just one perfect line: 'AI can write, but it can't feel.' I closed my notebook and let that linger. Technology can do a lot, but it can't replace the human pulse at the heart of our craft. Evening: The Awards India didn't win big in numbers, but FCB's 'Lucky Yatra' picking up a Gold Lion had the whole contingent beaming. Watching that team walk up, you could feel what it meant. When one of us wins, it lifts all of us a little higher. Reflection This is my second time at Cannes. Last year, I was wide-eyed. Feels different now — last year was wide-eyed. This time, more grounded. I'm walking away with a full notebook, a fuller heart, and a tiny voice saying, 'We've got this too.' (The writer, Co-founder and CEO, White Rivers Media, is an attendee at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025. Views expressed are personal.)
Zawya
11 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Marriott to add 50 properties, 9,000 rooms in Africa by 2027
Marriott International has announced plans to expand its operations in Africa with the anticipated addition of over 50 properties and more than 9,000 rooms by the end of 2027. The company's growth strategy includes the expected entry into five markets - Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Mauritania. The planned expansion aims to further strengthen the company's footprint across the continent where its current operating portfolio encompasses nearly 150 properties and 26,000 rooms across 20 countries and 22 brands. 'We are witnessing a transformation of Africa's tourism sector driven by visionary government agendas, substantial infrastructure development, enhanced regional and international connectivity and diversified travel experiences, all of which are laying the foundation for a thriving hospitality sector,' said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. 'With our renowned portfolio of brands, world-class distribution platform and award-winning travel programme, Marriott Bonvoy, we continue to drive robust expansion opportunities with owners and franchisees across Africa and remain committed to supporting the growth of its tourism sector.' Marriott's planned expansion aims to enhance the strategic development of the company's luxury, premium and select-service portfolio across key and emerging destinations in Africa. The company's growth across the continent is expected to be largely driven by its select-service brands, including Protea Hotels by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton, and a strong consumer demand for distinctive, high-quality hospitality experiences. Tanzania, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Nigeria are the highest growth markets for the company in the continent, making up more than half of the projects slated to open in the next two years. Conversions and adaptive reuse opportunities are also anticipated to continue to drive meaningful growth for the company, representing more than 30 percent of the anticipated African additions by the end of 2027. The company is also seeing an increased appetite for branded residential projects across the continent. Karim Cheltout, Senior Vice President – Development, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, added, 'Africa is home to emerging marketplaces that offer significant growth opportunities across major gateway cities, commercial centres, safari circuits and resort destinations. Through our diverse range of extraordinary brands, we are in a position to work with developers to offer high quality accommodations along with distinct and innovative travel experiences that resonate with today's rapidly evolving consumer." NORTH AND EAST AFRICA FUEL EXPANSION PLANS FOR THE CONTINENT Marriott is witnessing strong growth momentum in the North and East Africa regions, which together account for more than 60 percent of the company's planned additions in Africa by the end of 2027. Egypt and Morocco are expected to lead the expansion for Marriott in North Africa. Plans in Egypt include the anticipated debut of Aloft Hotels in the continent, with the opening of Aloft Ghazala Bay situated in the North Coast of the country expected in 2027. More than 50 percent of the company's expected additions in Egypt by the end of 2027 are conversion or adaptive reuse projects. Expansion highlights for Morocco include the anticipated market debut of AC Hotels by Marriott with a scheduled opening in Casablanca in 2027. In East Africa, the company continues to see growth momentum with safari lodges and camps spurred by a growing appeal for adventure and outdoor travel. Following the successful opening of JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in 2023, the company is slated to open six safari properties across the region by the end of 2027, including The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp (Kenya), and Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection (Tanzania) - both of which are scheduled to open this year. Marriott's portfolio in Tanzania is anticipated to more than double by the end of 2027 while in Kenya the company plans to open five properties including the debut of Courtyard by Marriott with two expected openings in Nairobi in 2027. Growth plans in Uganda include the country's first Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments with scheduled openings in Kampala by the end of this year. DEMAND FOR PREMIUM AND SELECT ACCOMMODATION REMAINS STRONG IN WEST AFRICA By the end of 2027, the company expects to add six properties in Nigeria, its largest growth market in the West Africa region. Plans include the introduction of Courtyard by Marriott in the country with anticipated openings in Abuja within the next two years, and the continued expansion of Protea Hotels by Marriott and Marriott Hotels. Marriott is also slated to enter three new markets in West Africa in the next two years. Four Points by Sheraton Sao Vicente Resort is anticipated to open this year, marking the company's debut in Cape Verde. Marriott is also expected to enter Côte d'Ivoire in 2027, with an Autograph Collection Hotel located in Assinie-Mafia, and Mauritania with a Sheraton Hotel situated in Nouakchott, which is expected to open later this year. GROWTH ACROSS SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA REMAINS STEADY The company's largest market in Africa, South Africa, is expected to see an expansion of the Autograph Collection Hotels brand portfolio with the opening of Morea House in Cape Town this year, followed by the anticipated addition of a property within Kruger National Park in 2026. Marriott also plans to enter The Democratic Republic of Congo by the end of this year with a Protea Hotel by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton in Kinshasa. The company is also expected to make its debut in Madagascar with the opening of a Delta Hotels by Marriott this year and a Protea Hotel by Marriott anticipated in 2026 in Antananarivo. The company's planned expansion also includes the anticipated debut of Le Méridien in Cameroon in 2027.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Eyeing a Summer Trip? These Hotels Have Some the Most Gorgeous Water Views in the Country
School's almost out and it's time to hit the beach. You don't have to travel abroad to the South of France or the Amalfi Coast to get gorgeous waterfront views. For PEOPLE's 100 Reason to Love America franchise we rounded up four hotels in coastal U.S. cities to make the list. South Carolina, Maine, California and Florida are all represented below. Scroll on to see the stunning properties worth a Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection, Johns Island, S.C. Enjoy classic southern hospitality with a modern twist at this chic low-country resort located on the banks of the Kiawah River. The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort in Florida This luxury destination on Sarasota's barrier island has its own lagoon where guests can see coral reefs, stingrays and tropical fish up close. The Dunes on the Waterfront, Ogunquit, Maine With its seaside setting, charming cottages and amenities like beach cruisers, it's no wonder rooms go fast at this picturesque spot. Casa Loma Beach Hotel, Laguna Beach, Calif. The cliffside location makes this boutique hotel the perfect place to watch the sunset over Main Beach. Read the original article on People
