Marriott International announced it will cease operations in Russia, citing new U.S., U.K. and European Union restrictions.
In a news release, Marriott said that since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February, executives have stayed in regular contact with teams on the ground as the company evaluated its ability to operate in the changing legal and geopolitical landscape. On March 10, the company announced its decision to close its corporate office in Moscow and stop the opening of upcoming hotels and all future hotel development and investment in Russia.
“We have come to the view that newly announced U.S., U.K. and EU restrictions will make it impossible for Marriott to continue to operate or franchise hotels in the Russian market,” the statement released today said. “We have therefore made the decision to suspend all Marriott International operations in Russia. The process to suspend operations in a market where Marriott has operated for 25 years is complex.”
Along with Marriott, many global hotel companies have taken similar stances, beginning with initially pausing new developments and closing offices in Russia.
As Marriott moves forward in suspending hotel operations in Russia, it will continue to take care of its Russia-based associates, the company statement said. It also pointed to its support for associates in Ukraine, Russia and the overall region since the start of the war. Along with helping associates find employment opportunities within the company in other countries, Marriott provided $1 million in internal disaster relief funds for associates and their families.
More than 85 Marriott hotels are providing rooms to Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries, according to the statement. Marriott has given more than $2.7 million in hotel-level financial, fundraising and in-kind support to relief organizations. It has hired more than 250 refugees across more than 40 hotels in 15 European countries, and it plans to continue hiring more.
“We continue to join our associates and millions of people around the world in wishing for an end to the current violence and the start of a path towards peace,” Marriott said in the statement.