- Marriott International suspends operations in Russia, a market where 25 years ago.
- In March, the company closed its corporate office in Moscow and stopped the opening and development of new hotels in Russia.
- Marriott said it will continue to focus on “caring” for its Russian-based partners.
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As Russia’s war in Ukraine entered its 100th day, Marriott International issued a statement suspending all operations in Russia.
“We have come to the conclusion that the recently announced restrictions in the US, UK and EU will make it impossible for Marriott to continue operating or hotel franchises in the Russian market,” the company said in a statement.
Marriott’s withdrawal follows the Best Western and Hyatt hotel groups, who were the first to withdraw from Russia.
In March, Marriott closed its corporate office in Moscow and stopped the opening of new hotels and the start of hotel developments and investments in Russia.
In May, the company said in its first-quarter earnings report that the war had not yet affected demand in Russia.
“Cancellations have been minimal,” Marriott said at the time, calling the 23 jobs open in the country “modest.” The company said its business operations in Russia “accounted for far less than 1% of our global tariffs in 2019.”
Marriott described the suspension of its operations in the Russian market, where 25 years ago, a “complex” process in its statement.
As the company withdraws from Russia, it says it will continue to take care of its Russian-based partners.
“Since the war began, we have supported partners in Ukraine, Russia and the entire region, including guaranteeing work with Marriott outside the countries directly affected by the conflict,” Marriott said in a statement.
The company said it has spent $ 1 million to help partners and their families with resettlement assistance.
More than 85 Marriott hotels offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries, and the company has hired more than 250 refugees to work in more than 40 hotels in 15 European countries, according to the statement.