Marriott International on
Thursday appointed Ritz-Carlton president and COO Simon Cooper as president and
managing director for the Asia/Pacific region. Shedding
the role he has held for nine years, Cooper now will move to Hong Kong to
oversee the hotel company's growth in the region, including 70 hotels under
development and more than 130 Asia-based Marriott multi-brand properties in operation.
Marriott said Cooper's shift
to Asia is part of the hotel company's strategy to strengthen its presence in growth
continents, evident in another appointment, announced on Thursday, of Edwin Fuller, president and managing director of
international lodging, to lead the company's growth in the Middle East and
Africa. The company plans to open 42 hotels in that region over the next three
years.
Cooper and Fuller will report to Marriott president and COO Arne Sorenson. "Simon brings strong business savvy
and deep knowledge of the emerging markets in Asia/
Pacific given the significant recent growth in the Asia portfolio for The Ritz-Carlton," Sorenson said
in a statement. "Ed is highly respected throughout the industry and brings
considerable expertise and contacts to our global operations. As a 38-year
Marriott veteran, he was a principle leader in growing the Marriott portfolio
from 16 international hotels to more than 400 in 68 countries outside North America and expanding our brands into new
markets."