Dive Brief:
- Marriott International posted RevPAR growth and financial results “above the top end of our guidance ranges” in the first quarter of 2026, CEO Anthony Capuano said during a Wednesday earnings call. The company posted 4.2% year-over-year worldwide RevPAR growth in Q1, including 4% growth in the U.S. and Canada, according to an earnings report.
- On the heels of the results, Marriott raised its full-year 2026 projection on systemwide RevPAR growth, now expecting to see between 2% and 3% year-over-year growth, Marriott’s newly appointed CFO Jen Mason detailed on the call. Mason succeeds longtime CFO Leeny Oberg, who retired in March.
- Marriott also saw momentum on the development and technology fronts. The quarter represented a record first quarter for signings, with Marriott’s pipeline increasing 5% year over year. Meanwhile, the company is “excited about increasingly leveraging AI” across the organization, Capuano said.
Dive Insight:
Marriott’s first-quarter results were buoyed by “resilience of demand for travel,” according to Capuano. In the U.S. and Canada, Marriott saw RevPAR increase for the leisure, group and business travel segments. Looking ahead, the company expects a solid lift from the World Cup this summer.
To keep up with demand, Marriott remains “focused on steadily expanding our industry leading portfolio and presence to reach new markets and new travelers worldwide,” Capuano said.
In the first quarter, Marriott’s global pipeline expanded to nearly 618,000 rooms with “conversions, including multi-unit deals, remaining a significant driver of growth,” per Capuano. Conversions represented more than 35% of signings and more than 40% of openings in Q1. Also during the quarter, Marriott added roughly 15,900 rooms to its global portfolio.
The luxury segment remains a core focus for Marriott, leading other chain scales by performance growth. During the quarter, Marriott entered into a joint venture to bring luxury wellness hospitality brand Lefay under its system. The company also expanded its luxury St. Regis and Edition brand portfolios.
Meanwhile, Marriott’s multiyear technology transformation is well underway, Capuano shared on the call, saying the company’s new technology platforms “are expected to enhance owner returns, while positioning our hotel associates to focus more time on quality of service to deliver on customer expectations.”
According to Capuano, artificial intelligence “presents an exciting opportunity to connect directly and in a more personalized manner with our customers.”
In the second quarter, Marriott will begin a phased rollout of a “robust natural language search experience” on Marriott.com and the company’s app, Capuano shared.
Marriott competitors Hilton, Choice Hotels International and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts are also increasing investment in AI.
