Marriot has decided to suspend all international operations in Russia where it has operated for over 25 years.
Following in the footsteps of McDonald’s, Renault and coffee brand Starbucks, the hotel chain will close its 22 third-party-owned hotels in the country as the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on.
On March 10, the company announced that it was closing its corporate office in Moscow and pausing the opening of upcoming hotels and future development and investment in Russia. This move, however, will see the chain completely remove itself from the country as the war enters its fourth month.
READ MORE: McDonald’s permanently exits Russia due to Ukraine invasion
“Since the start of the war, we have remained in regular contact with our teams on the ground as we continued to evaluate our ability to operate in this changing legal and geopolitical landscape,” Marriot said.
“We have come to the view that newly announced US, UK and EU restrictions will make it impossible for Marriott to continue to operate or franchise hotels in the Russian market.”
Some 85 of the chain’s hotels are said to be providing lodging for refugees from Ukraine in neighbouring countries.
The company is also actively hiring refugees, with more than 250 already hired across more than 40 hotels in 15 European countries.
“We have provided over $2.7 million in hotel-level financial, fundraising, and in-kind support, including food and supply donations, to relief organizations operating on the ground,” the chain added.
“We will also match Marriott Bonvoy points donations to World Central Kitchen and UNICEF, up to 100 million points this year, with over 50 million points donated to date.”
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