Marriott signs all-inclusive resort deals in Jamaica and Zanzibar

Hotel group expands partnership with Catalonia as it grows leisure portfolio across Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa

Marriott International has signed deals for two all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica and Tanzania as it expands its global leisure hotel portfolio.

The agreements with Catalonia Hotels & Resorts will bring a Marriott Hotels all-inclusive resort to Montego Bay and an Autograph Collection all-inclusive resort to Zanzibar.

The Montego Bay resort is expected to open in 2028 after the conversion of the former Catalonia Montego Bay, while the Zanzibar property is a new-build resort expected to open in 2027.

The deals extend Marriott’s relationship with Catalonia, which already owns the Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel.

Marriott said the agreements support its push into all-inclusive resorts, a segment where major hotel groups have been expanding to capture demand for higher-value leisure travel.

Laurent de Kousemaeker, chief development officer for Caribbean and Latin America at Marriott International, said: “These agreements represent a significant milestone in our all-inclusive strategy and demonstrate the strength of our relationships with experienced owners seeking to maximize value through Marriott’s globally recognized brands.

“Catalonia already knows Marriott through its ownership of Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel, and we are delighted to expand our collaboration through two distinctive resorts in highly desirable leisure destinations.

“We continue to see growing interest from owners and investors who recognize the power of Marriott’s brands, distribution platform, and development expertise.”

The Montego Bay property will have 522 rooms on a beachfront site near Sangster International Airport.

Planned facilities include 13 dining venues, three pools, a spa, fitness centre, tennis and pickleball courts, a lazy river, about 12,917 sq ft of meeting space and more than 2,130 ft of beachfront.

The Zanzibar resort will open under Autograph Collection Hotels and is planned with 271 guestrooms.

Marriott said the property would have a wellness-focused guest experience, with multiple pools, a spa, a theatre, an oceanfront jetty, a seawater pool and bar, and a range of speciality restaurants.

Jerome Briet, Marriott International’s chief development officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “These signings highlight Marriott’s ability to grow strategically across multiple regions while serving owners with differentiated solutions tailored to local market opportunities.

“The addition of this Autograph Collection Resort in Zanzibar represents an important step in our all-inclusive expansion across the EMEA region.

“Backed by a strong all-inclusive pipeline and proven expertise, Marriott’s brand portfolio offers owners diverse opportunities to expand in all-inclusive in coveted markets around the world.”

Catalonia Hotels & Resorts owns, leases and operates 82 hotels with more than 12,000 rooms.

Its portfolio includes urban hotels in Europe and leisure resorts in the Caribbean and Latin America, including properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Manuel Valenzuela, the firm’s chief commercial and operations officer added: “We are pleased to strengthen our relationship with Marriott International through these two significant projects.

“This agreement reflects leading international brands’ recognition of our operational excellence and the strength of our management model.

“It also aligns with the company’s expansion strategy, including collaborations that support our growth in strategic markets.”

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_{Main image: Rendering of Marriott All-Inclusive Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Credit: Marriott International}