Marriott has revealed the first 19 projects that will receive financial support and other incentives through the company’s ‘Bridging the Gap’ programme.

The programme was first announced in 2022 with a $50m initial investment from Marriott. It includes the company’s Aloft Hotels, Autograph Collection, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Residence Inn, Towneplace Suites, SpringHill Suites and Tribute Portfolio brands.

The aim is to address barriers to entry in hotel ownership among Black, Native American, Hispanic and female owners.

Development projects under Marriott’s Bridging the Gap program are expected to reach $1b in total asset value for their ownership groups within three years. 

To qualify for the programme, development projects may be new-build, re-licenses or conversion projects in the U.S. and Canada under one of the company’s 30 brands.

Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano comments: “We see hotel ownership as a powerful economic generator – creating good jobs and revenue in the community and an on-ramp to prosperity and intergenerational wealth for hotel owners. Today’s announcement is all about creating opportunity – and as the name of this programme suggests – bridging the gap to hotel ownership that too often exists for under-represented groups.”

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Alpha 3 Hotels is developing a Residence Inn in Texas under the programme. The company’s managing partner Said Arzy Molubhoy says “Marriott’s Bridging the Gap has been the most beneficial by opening doors. It has given opportunities that you dream of, and you hope that one day comes to fruition.”

Marriott launched a new hotel in Xi’an, China, on 25 April 2023.