World Tourism Day: On the road to recovery

Today, Marriott International commemorates World Tourism Day.

The UNWTO has designated World Tourism Day 2021 as a day to focus on tourism for inclusive growth. According to data from UNWTO, Asia Pacific continues to have the largest proportion of destinations closed to tourists, and as we slowly pivot and recalibrate recovery plans, it is important to ensure that every part of the sector has a fighting chance at emerging stronger from this pandemic.

I often say that the pandemic has been one of the toughest periods but also one of incredible learning. I am proud to say that we’ve seen an incredible level of camaraderie and resilience from all parts of our organization. Even during the toughest times, our associates have come together to support each other, something that truly inspires me every day. ?

We are seeing demand come back strongly in certain markets like Greater China, where we’ve observed demand bouncing back or bettering pre-pandemic levels. The Phuket Sandbox Scheme, Langkawi travel bubble, trans-Tasman travel bubble and Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane have served as crucial restarts to cross-border travel, and we have been working closely with respective authorities to monitor the situation and adapt plans as needed.

We are going through unprecedented times – and close if not closer collaboration amongst public-private sector is critical to facilitate an effective approach to economic recovery, and Marriott International is committed to helping the industry grow, while bringing the benefits of good travel to our guests, owners, and communities.

Travellers are also becoming increasingly aware of their place in the world and the shift to greener travel has brought about new ways of thinking. Earlier this year, we launched Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy - a pilot programme across 15 hotels that offers guests purpose-driven experiences, and we’re eager to roll it out to most of our Asia Pacific leisure destinations over time and be ready to welcome guests who are looking for more meaningful travel experiences.

As an organization, we are committed to embracing sustainability and we have most recently joined the Race to Zero , committing to reach net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050. We have a responsibility and vested interested in helping to address some of the world’s most pressing social, environmental, and economic issues. With our global footprint and scale, we are well positioned to be part of the solution and take our responsibility to serve our world seriously.

And finally, putting people first has laid the foundation of the culture Marriott International is known for, and our commitment to upholding this extends to supporting the communities we operate in.

As we look to the future, let us all remember to ensure that nobody is left behind. Ensuring inclusive growth is not only the right thing to do but the responsible thing to do.

Take care and stay safe.