Marriott International's Ritz-Carlton brand plans "aggressive growth," with 15 new hotels expected to open during the next 30 months, largely in the Asia/Pacific and Middle East/Africa regions,

the company announced on Tuesday. Hotels to open in the period include properties in China, Egypt, Indonesia, Morocco, Panama and Tunisia. Ritz-Carlton has opened nine hotels within the past 20 months, including properties in Bangalore; Vienna; Kyoto, Japan; Chengdu, China; and Almaty, Kazakhstan.