The Marriott portfolio of hotels and resorts is witnessing an increase in leisure segment bookings across its properties in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Ramesh Jackson, area vice president for Indonesia and Malaysia at Marriott International, expressed optimism about the growth prospects in 2024, noting that 1Q2024 outperformed the same period in 2019 for both countries. The surge in demand is driven by both domestic and international markets.
Jackson: travellers are willing to dedicate their time to support causes they believe in
Jackson highlighted the preferences of young holidaymakers, emphasising their desire for authentic and meaningful experiences, stating “they are willing to dedicate their time to support causes they believe in”.
In response to this trend, Marriott Bonvoy offers the Good Travel programme, which enables guests to make a positive impact on the destinations they visit through environmental protection, community engagement, and marine conservation initiatives.
One notable initiative is the partnership between Marriott International, Sungai Watch, Bali NextGen Business Council, and the local community for the Big Clean Up project in the Baturiti area of North Bali on March 15. Over 100 volunteers participated in clearing plastics and other debris from Bali’s forests, preventing potential pollution of nearby Beratan Lake.
With the rise of millennial and Gen Z travellers, Jackson stressed the growing importance of digital and social media marketing to directly target these demographics.
He also noted the increasing popularity of bleisure travel among visitors to Malaysia and Indonesia.
Jackson explained: “While these travellers extend their stays to experience local culture, they are also mindful of their environmental impact and seek properties that prioritise sustainability.”
Moreover, Ramesh observed a shift in priorities among intra-ASEAN and Chinese business travellers towards sustainability. They now enquire about the carbon footprint of properties and their sourcing of locally produced food, reflecting a heightened awareness of environmental concerns compared to pre-pandemic times.
The Marriott portfolio of hotels and resorts is witnessing an increase in leisure segment bookings across its properties in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Ramesh Jackson, area vice president for Indonesia and Malaysia at Marriott International, expressed optimism about the growth prospects in 2024, noting that 1Q2024 outperformed the same period in 2019 for both countries. The surge in demand is driven by both domestic and international markets.
Jackson highlighted the preferences of young holidaymakers, emphasising their desire for authentic and meaningful experiences, stating “they are willing to dedicate their time to support causes they believe in”.
In response to this trend, Marriott Bonvoy offers the Good Travel programme, which enables guests to make a positive impact on the destinations they visit through environmental protection, community engagement, and marine conservation initiatives.
One notable initiative is the partnership between Marriott International, Sungai Watch, Bali NextGen Business Council, and the local community for the Big Clean Up project in the Baturiti area of North Bali on March 15. Over 100 volunteers participated in clearing plastics and other debris from Bali’s forests, preventing potential pollution of nearby Beratan Lake.
With the rise of millennial and Gen Z travellers, Jackson stressed the growing importance of digital and social media marketing to directly target these demographics.
He also noted the increasing popularity of bleisure travel among visitors to Malaysia and Indonesia.
Jackson explained: “While these travellers extend their stays to experience local culture, they are also mindful of their environmental impact and seek properties that prioritise sustainability.”
Moreover, Ramesh observed a shift in priorities among intra-ASEAN and Chinese business travellers towards sustainability. They now enquire about the carbon footprint of properties and their sourcing of locally produced food, reflecting a heightened awareness of environmental concerns compared to pre-pandemic times.