The World's Largest Hotel Company Just Raised Its Growth Forecast — and Revealed a Major Tech Upgrade Coming This Summer
Marriott posted 4.2% worldwide RevPAR growth in Q1, raised full-year guidance, and announced an AI-powered search experience rolling out across its platforms.
Marriott International delivered strong first-quarter results that beat the top end of its own guidance, posting 4.2% year-over-year worldwide RevPAR growth including 4% growth in the U.S. and Canada. On the back of those gains, the company raised its full-year 2026 RevPAR growth projection to between 2% and 3%.
The development pipeline told an even bigger story. Marriott notched a record first quarter for signings, expanding its global pipeline to nearly 618,000 rooms — a 5% year-over-year increase. Conversions accounted for more than 35% of signings and over 40% of openings, reflecting the company's aggressive push to bring independent properties into its system through multi-unit deals.
CEO Anthony Capuano pointed to resilient travel demand across leisure, group, and business segments as the key driver. The luxury segment led all chain scales in performance growth, with Marriott expanding its St. Regis and Edition portfolios and entering a joint venture to bring Italian wellness brand Lefay under its system.
On the technology front, Marriott announced that it will begin a phased rollout of a natural language search experience on Marriott.com and its mobile app in the second quarter. The AI-powered tool is part of the company's broader multiyear technology transformation, which Capuano said will help connect with customers in a more personalized way.
Marriott's all-inclusive portfolio, which includes brands like Westin All-Inclusive and JW Marriott All-Inclusive, continues to benefit from these tailwinds as the company builds out its presence in the Caribbean and Mexico.
