Most people know the name Marriott, but not everyone knows the incredible story of how it came to be the world’s largest hotel company with over 700,000 associates globally across over 9100 properties.
In 1927, a young man named J. Willard Marriott opened a nine-stool root beer stand in Washington D.C, that grew into the Hot Shoppes Restaurant chain and later into a small hotel business, before evolving into Marriott International hotel company as we know it today.
Over the next 58 years, J. Willard built the Marriott brand on a foundation of guiding principles that remain embedded in the company’s culture today – “we put people first” and the belief that when we “take care of associates, they will take care of the customers”.
Today, this culture within the company ensures there are opportunities for associates, and that customers and stakeholders are well taken care of.
Marriott International’s new Area Vice President for Australia, NZ and the Pacific (ANZP), Jason Nuell, says this philosophy will be a core foundation of his vision for the company in ANZP.
“We want our people to be inspired by what’s possible and discover their own future, and there’s no better example of this than my own personal journey with Marriott,” says Nuell. “My career with Marriott over 20 years has seen me grow my skills and venture into new disciplines. I’ve moved around the world, learning and carving out a career path that has now led me back home to Australia.”
Born in Sydney, Nuell started out in Marriott’s Queensland properties in Food and Beverage roles and GM roles before moving around the globe taking up leadership positions in India, China, and Europe, with a decade long tenure at Marriott headquarters in Bethesda, USA in a Brand role, where he was instrumental in the development of new brands such as Moxy and AC Hotels and the transformation of the Sheraton brand.
Nuell will lead Marriott International in ANZP in delivering the ‘People First’ culture, spanning across its teams, the owner community, and stakeholders.
Marriott’s employer brand leans into its associates being part of something bigger than themselves, to belong to a global community, and become ‘the best version of you’, which is demonstrated via a strong ethos on training and development and promoting from within.
When it comes to culture, Marriott International in Australia has already been recognised with a #4 placing in the ‘Great Places To Work’ 2024 awards, large companies category.
In 2025, Marriott will need even more people in even more places, as it implements its strategy of offering the best brands and experiences and continue to expand locations with the goal to have a Marriott hotel in every location their members wish to travel.
“This year, we expanded our footprint and added properties and people to Papua New Guinea with Marriott Executive Apartments; Adelaide with the new Marriott Hotel; and in Perth’s city fringe with Courtyard by Marriott, Perth, Murdoch,” says Nuell.
After two years of luxury and new-build hotel openings for Marriott in Australia, the future vision to ‘be in more places’ for Marriott International will embrace change along with the changing face of guest needs. The next phase in ANZP will see Marriott continue to expand into gateway cities and regional locations – with the Sheraton Stanley Suites in Papua New Guinea opening mid-2025, with other developments soon to be announced.
“Delivering this expansion will mean we need more people in new locations, bringing the global opportunity of a career with Marriott International to people in new places, where they can start their journeys with us,” says Nuell.
Marriott International’s commitment to the training and development of their associates, combined with a focus on diversity and inclusion and creating a space where people ‘Belong’ is critical to the growth of the company.
Marriott International ANZP’s Area Director of HR, Nastasha Rasheed, says: “Building a workplace where every individual can thrive is our ultimate goal at Marriott International. We believe that by fostering an environment of inclusivity, empowerment, and continuous growth, we create a foundation for our employees to excel personally and professionally.”
Along with its focus on culture, Marriott’s portfolio of leading global brands is a leading factor in attracting the best staff to their hotels. “We have 17 of Marriott’s 30 brands represented in ANZP currently ranging from award-winning luxury brands – such as Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels and The Luxury Collection – our Australian properties, which have each taken home prestigious awards in 2024, through to flagship brands like Marriott, Westin and Sheraton,” says Nuell.
“Newer brands to the Australian market – like AC Hotels, Aloft and Moxy – are suited to the needs of a Gen Z-minded customer and we look forward to continuing to expand our offering. Hospitality professionals want to work for the best brands in the world, and we are home to many,” Nuell says.
“As the #1 leader in hospitality worldwide, Marriott International has 30+ brands in its portfolio — and we’re still growing here. I invite industry professionals and new starters to explore our global hotel brands and consider where their own Marriott journey might begin.”
Read this article in the December 2024 edition of HM Magazine.