Safety Is First Priority
Marriott CEO on Ukraine crisis: We worry about the safety of our guests
Marriott CEO： We’re monitoring Ukraine by hours.
The Russia-Ukraine war has been going on for a month. As of March 25, 2022, the war has killed at least 21,000 people, lost about 10 million people, and caused $119 billion in property damage.
Marriott Hotels & Resorts has announced that they will cease operations in Russia due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We have decided, effective immediately, to close our corporate office in Moscow and to suspend upcoming hotel openings and all future hotel development and investment in Russia,” Marriott said in a statement. Follow the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, Russia, and neighboring countries and keep in regular contact with our local team as we work to comply with sanctions and applicable laws. Our hotels in Russia are owned by third parties, and we will continue to assess their retention ability to operate.”
In the interview, Marriott Group, as the largest hotel group globally, has the number one goal is safety. They are committed to providing the safest possible accommodation for their customers. Their team has been monitoring the situation in Ukraine every hour and has prepared various plans to deal with this crisis.
No one longed for war, but it happened. The leading hotel company also provided various humanitarian aids and protected their customers and employees in this war.
Marriott Group has 28 hotels with 6,522 rooms in Russia. However, its globalization strategy has resulted in multiple third parties involved in the management and operation of its hotels, making it impossible for them to close all hotels in Russia.
Because of the complicated “franchise” agreement, many groups could not wholly withdraw from Russia and impose sanctions on it. Perhaps in a state of global peace, this is the best way to do business. But for the division of the world, the negative impact of its agreement has increased.
All businesses are committed to creating a safe and peaceful world environment, and the Russian-Ukrainian war is understandably frustrating. Marriott also opposes the war with its meager power and helps it to the greatest extent possible.
Mar.25 2022
