Marriott International plans to more than double the size of its portfolio within the Asia-Pacific region, with an additional 123 properties in Asia by 2016.

Adding an extra 80,000 rooms in up to 16 countries, new properties include a Bulgari hotel in Shanghai, a Marriott resort in Dali, a Marriott in Hengyang and a Renaissance hotel in Xuzhou.

The hotel group also expects to operate in an additional 13 provinces within China by 2016 including; Hunan, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, Anhui and Macau.

Marriott Asia managing director Simon Cooper said the group intends to “grow dynamically” within the region through “a strategically targeted brand portfolio” and products that resonate with the public.

“While China and India are the driving forces for our business in Asia, we are also seeing growth with new signings and openings in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and elsewhere in the region,” he said.

The additional properties will open an extra 36,000 new jobs within Asia including 40,000 in China alone.  

Marriott International currently operates eight brands in Asia Pacific including; Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott Executive Apartments and the recently launched Autograph Collection.