Marriott International plans to open nearly 70 properties globally under its trio of Collection brands – Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio and Luxury Collection – this year.
The global expansion will include 24 new market entries.
Of the 70 properties, a total of 48 hotels are expected to join the Autograph Collection in various locations around the world, from ski resorts to European capitals and all-inclusive beach destinations.
In China, CAST Nanjing, Autograph Collection is slated for a spring opening. Set on the site of a century-old cement factory, the 110-room hotel will boast select guestrooms featuring a private hot spring.
Other locations where Autograph Collection expects to open its doors in 2021 include Singapore, Seoul, Berlin, Antwerp and Istanbul. Nineteen of Autograph Collection’s expected hotel openings this year will be immersive getaways under Marriott’s new all-inclusive platform in locations in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua and Costa Rica.
Under the Tribute Portfolio brand, 15 new properties are planned to open in locations across the globe, from the buzzing streets of Chattanooga to the beaches of Ibiza.
Across the Pacific, The Hiyori Chapter, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel is slated to open come summer in Kyoto, Japan as the tenth Tribute Portfolio hotel in Asia. The 203-room hotel will be located in Kawaramachi Nijo, on the banks of the Kamo River.
Other locations where Tribute Portfolio plans to welcome hotels to the portfolio this year include Washington DC and Atlanta in the US, Seville in Spain, and Shenzhen in China.
Meanwhile, The Luxury Collection expects to debut four hotels in 2021, including its 120th property, Matild Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel, in Budapest, Hungary this spring. The 130-room Matild Palace is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and is under monumental protection.
Also in the line-up is the brand’s first-ever hotel in Tasmania, with The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Hobart slated to open in fall. The hotel will boast 152 guestrooms and suites residing in repurposed heritage buildings in Parliament Square.
The brand also expects to expand its footprint in Asia this spring with Josun Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel, in Seoul, South Korea. Located in the Gangnam district of central Seoul, Josun Palace will feature 254 guestrooms, five F&B outlets and a wellness club.
From March 17, all outbound Scoot passengers flying from Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong will be able to book Covid-19 pre-departure RT-PCR and serology tests as part of a trial service run by Collinson.
The service builds upon the pilot recently launched for Singapore Airlines, Scoot’s parent company.
The Collinson online portal, accessible via the Scoot website or mobile app, will allow passengers departing on flights to book pre-departure testing appointments with recognised and accredited partner clinics and digitally receive results within 36 hours.
Passengers will receive their serology test results directly from the clinic. However, RT-PCR test results can be obtained through the portal, with QR codes embedded within the RT-PCR result certificates, enabling digital authentication, streamlining verification and strengthening the integrity of the process.
There are plans to expand the service to other destinations in the Scoot network post-trial.
A digital verification solution from Affinidi, a Temasek-founded technology company, is also being trialled by Scoot at check-in for selected flights from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. By scanning the QR code with a secure app, check-in agents are able to quickly and reliably determine the authenticity of digital or printed Covid-19 test results bearing a verifiable QR code, issued by selected clinics. This will reduce the check-in time for passengers, thereby, improving their travel experience.
Todd Handcock, president, Asia Pacific, Collinson, said: “Helping to reopen key routes for travellers in a safe way is our utmost priority and this partnership is another step forward in our aim of achieving the long-term return of global travel.”
Campbell Wilson, Scoot CEO, added: “Through both solutions, we hope our customers can be assured of a more convenient, efficient and reliable experience when they travel with us.”