Marriott International says it will open 18 new hotels in China by 2012.

When all 18 hotels are opened, the Marriott International portfolio in China will encompass 59 hotels providing a total 22,489 rooms, across six lodging brands – JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments.

The group has confirmed nine hotels will open in the cities of Nanjing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Huizhou, Suzhou and Beijing.

Additional hotels are under construction in Shenzhen, Beijing, Hangzhou, Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Marriott International President and Managing Director of international lodging Ed Fuller said the group is expanding its reach into secondary markets and territories throughout China.

By staff writer