The hotel management firm Marriott developed slowly in China over the past few years even though the country's economy was buzzing and international hotel groups were jumping into the market.

But the American group is now one of the few aggressively expanding in China as its economy slows and other hotel groups cut back on new hotel openings.

"We expect to open at least 10 hotels annually in China over the next four to five years," said Geoff Garside, Marriott International Asia-Pacific executive vice-president, during his most recent visit to China.

The Marriott opened about five to six new hotels a year in China over the past few years, he said.

Marriott plans to open 27 hotels in Asia in 2009, 40 percent (10) of them in China.

"China is the fastest growing hotel market, followed by India and Thailand, in Asia," said Garside.

"China is not as badly affected by the financial crisis as other economies, especially in Europe and the US," said Garside.

"So we are glad to be in China," he said.

Garside came to China for the opening of the group's 800th Courtyard hotel, a 364-room property in Shanghai's bustling Xujiahui commercial area on Feb 10.

Courtyard, a four-star chain, is one of six Marriott brands in the Chinese hotel market and targets business travelers.

Marriott plans to develop Courtyard in second and third-tier Chinese cities, said Brian King, Courtyard's vice-president and global brand manager.

The new Shanghai Courtyard is the seventh in China and there are four additional Courtyard properties under construction in the country, said Garside.

"We will continue to grow," he said.

There are limited locations for high-end hotels such as JW Marriott, Marriott and Renaissance in gateway cities and no demand for such luxury hotels in third-tier cities, said King.

But Courtyard is between a mid-range and a luxury hotel, giving it more growth opportunities than a top-end hotel chain, said King.

Marriott recently redesigned the Courtyard logo, lobby and guest room and upgraded its services.

The new Courtyard hotel in Shanghai is the first launched under the new program.

(China Daily February 23, 2009)