Fairfield By Marriott To Expand Its Presence In Japan With The Signing Of 11 New Hotels

Second phase of the Michi-no-Eki project brings travelers closer to key attractions in five prefectures across Japan

Marriott International (Nasdaq: MAR) today announced it has signed an agreement with Japanese real estate developer, Sekisui House, to bring 11 new Fairfield by Marriott hotels to Japan. The agreement expands the collaboration with Sekisui House for the Michi-no-Eki project, adding on to the 15 Fairfield by Marriott hotels signed in 2018. All properties are anticipated to open by late 2022.

The signing expects to introduce the Fairfield by Marriott brand to five new prefectures, spanning from the North to South of Japan, including Hokkaido, Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima and Kagoshima. The hotels are slated to be built in key locations near roadside rest stations called “Michi-no-Eki” in Japan, situated close to national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites and unlocking easy access to many undiscovered destinations.

“We are pleased to work with Sekisui House in adding 11 new Fairfield by Marriott hotels to the Michi-no-Eki development project and growing our select-service portfolio,” said Paul Foskey, Chief Development Officer, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “Marriott International has a longstanding relationship with Sekisui House and we look forward to increasing access to Japan’s travel destinations outside of major metropolitan areas.”

Ranging in size around 50 to 100 guestrooms, each Fairfield by Marriott hotel takes inspiration from its surroundings, delivering the beauty of simplicity for guests who appreciate a calming, reliable experience characterized by warm hospitality. Each of the hotels’ public areas serve as a flexible social space to share and connect with other travelers or simply to relax. Guests can expect a harmonious balance of functionality, comfort and enriching décor in natural materials and carefully selected amenities.

“This signing represents another milestone in our longstanding relationship with Marriott International and ensures the delivery of the highest standards of hospitality in line with our values,” said Yoshihiro Nakai, President & Representative Director, Sekisui House. “Undiscovered attractions in remote areas will broaden opportunities for travelers and revitalize local regions by creating new job opportunities and a new flow of people coming into these regions. We are pleased that the new Fairfield by Marriott hotels will play a large role in the Michi-no-Eki development.”

Today’s signed agreement expects to bring 11 new Fairfield by Marriott hotels across five Japanese prefectures.

Hokkaido attracts outdoor lovers with its diverse landscapes. It lures skiers and snowboarders from around the world to its famed powder runs in Niseko, and hikers, cyclists and campers in the warmer months. Three hotels are expected to open by early 2022:

• Fairfield by Marriott Hokkaido Eniwa with 101 rooms
• Fairfield by Marriott Hokkaido Naganuma with 72 rooms
• Fairfield by Marriott Hokkaido Minamifurano with 72 rooms

Sera in Hiroshima is a charming town home to large fields of flowers which bloom seasonally. The town is noted for its fruit farms and wineries. One hotel is anticipated to open by mid-2022:

• Fairfield by Marriott Hiroshima Sera with 78 rooms

Kagoshima is the southernmost prefecture of mainland Kyushu and stretches for hundreds of kilometers, offering a vast array of visitor experiences. There is an enriching blend of culture, outdoor activities, unique regional cuisine and subtropical offshore islands to explore. Two hotels are anticipated to open by late 2022:

• Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Tarumizu with 96 rooms
• Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Osumi with 51 rooms

Okayama in western Japan is known as the ‘Land of Sunshine’ and offers unspoiled highlands filled with hot springs, fruit farms and historic monuments. Two hotels are expected to open by late 2022:

• Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Hiruzen with 96 rooms
• Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama with 75 rooms

Hyogo is the geographical center of Japan and is a cosmopolitan port framed by mountains, west Osaka and Kyoto. It is one of the country’s most diverse regions and is noted for its abundant year-round outdoor activities with numerous national parks. Hyogo’s most iconic attraction is the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Himeji Castle. The prefecture has excellent transportation links via extensive expressway, railway and airline routes. Three hotels are slated to open by late 2022:

• Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Minamiawaji with 99 rooms
• Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Kannabe with 73 rooms
• Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Yabu with 87 rooms

For more information on Fairfield by Marriott, please visit fairfield.marriott.com.

Note on forward-looking statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, including expected hotel openings, the number and location of lodging properties the company may add in future years, and similar statements concerning possible future events or expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including those we identify below and other risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Risks that could affect forward-looking statements in this press release include the duration and scope of COVID-19, including whether, where and to what extent resurgences of the virus occur; its short and longer-term impact on the demand for travel, transient and group business, and levels of consumer confidence; actions governments, businesses and individuals have taken or may take in response to the pandemic, including limiting or banning travel and/or in-person gatherings or imposing occupancy or other restrictions on lodging or other facilities; the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic on global and regional economies, travel, and economic activity, including the duration and magnitude of COVID-19’s impact on unemployment rates and consumer discretionary spending; the ability of our owners and franchisees to successfully navigate the impacts of COVID-19; the pace of recovery when the pandemic subsides or effective treatments or vaccines become available; general economic uncertainty in key global markets and a worsening of global economic conditions or low levels of economic growth; the effects of steps we and our property owners and franchisees take to reduce operating costs and/or enhance certain health and cleanliness protocols at our properties; the impacts of our employee furloughs and reduced work week schedules, our voluntary transition program and other restructuring activities; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; and the availability of capital to finance growth and refurbishment. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release, and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,400 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 135 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About Fairfield by Marriott
Fairfield by Marriott is designed to deliver a seamless stay through trusted service and warm, inviting spaces. In addition to complimentary Wi-Fi, Fairfield offers thoughtfully designed rooms and suites that provide separate living, working and sleeping areas. With over 1,000 properties around the globe, Fairfield is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy™, Marriott’s highly-awarded travel program. The program offers members offers exclusive member experiences and destination tours and adventures on Marriott Bonvoy Moments. When members book direct on Marriott.com they receive perks including free and enhanced Wi-Fi and exclusive member-only rates, and on the Marriott app they enjoy mobile check-in and checkout, Mobile Requests and, wherever available, Mobile Key. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit MarriottBonvoy.com. For more information or reservations, visit www.fairfield.marriott.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow @FairfieldHotels on www.twitter.com/fairfieldhotels.