Marriott to Make Haitian Debut with Hotel in Port-au-Prince

Marriott to Make Haitian Debut with Hotel in Port-au-Prince
By Kerry Medina

As the travel industry has helped to spur growth in the Haitian economy since the 2010 earthquake with companies like Amadeus helping to build an orphanage and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines assisting with the creation of manufacturing facilities, Marriott International also is looking to get in on the ground floor of what could be a boom in Haitian business.

The Bethesda, Md.-based hotel company is opening a $45 million, 173-room Port-au-Prince hotel, under management agreement with ownership group Unigestion Holding S.A., a subsidiary of Digicel Group Ltd. In addition to creating 175 new jobs, Marriott will invest in hospitality training to benefit Haiti's tourism sector. Construction on the property is expected to begin in 2012, with opening expected in mid-2014.

The Port-au-Prince Marriott, which will be located in the Haute Turgeau area of the city, will offer 168 rooms and five suites with Marriott's signature amenities and features like high-speed Internet (LAN and wireless) and flat-screen televisions.

Dining options will include a casual restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge and 24-hour room service. The hotel will include about 4,606 square feet of flexible meeting space, a 1,614-square-foot fitness center, swimming pool, and sundries shop/marketplace.