Marriott International is strengthening its all-inclusive development with two projects undertaken in partnership with Catalonia Hotels & Resorts. The first will open in Zanzibar in 2027, and the second in Montego Bay in 2028. Together, they will represent 793 additional rooms under the Autograph Collection Hotels and Marriott Hotels brands.
The two agreements were signed on July 22, 2026 in Barcelona. They extend an existing relationship between Marriott International and Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, owner of the Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel.
These are development agreements at this stage. The announced features, opening dates, and planned equipment are therefore subject to change before the facilities become operational.
Summary
Marriott International will transform the Catalonia Montego Bay
In Jamaica, the Catalonia Montego Bay is to be converted into a Marriott Hotels All-Inclusive Resort. The opening under its new brand is scheduled for 2028.
The hotel will retain a capacity of 522 rooms. According to information released by Marriott International, the project includes thirteen restaurants, three swimming pools, a spa, a gym, tennis and pickleball courts, and an artificial river.
The resort will also feature approximately 1,200 square meters of meeting space and over 650 meters of beachfront. It is located near Sangster International Airport, which serves the Montego Bay area.
The official statement refers to the conversion of the former Catalonia Montego Bay. It does not yet specify the timeline for the work, its cost, or any potential closure periods required before the opening under the Marriott Hotels brand.
An Autograph Collection Hotels resort is planned for Zanzibar
The second project will be a new 271-room hotel in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It is scheduled to open in 2027 under the Autograph Collection Hotels brand, part of the Marriott International portfolio.
The announced program includes several swimming pools, a spa, a theater, and a seaside pier connected to a saltwater pool with a bar. Several specialty restaurants are also planned.
Marriott International presents the project as a wellness-focused establishment integrated into Zanzibar's cultural environment. However, these elements are part of the group's stated positioning. The final concepts, local partners, and precise details of the experience have not been provided.
Two openings, but two different development models
The projects illustrate two methods used by hotel groups to accelerate their establishment.
In Montego Bay, Marriott International is relying on the conversion of an existing property. In Zanzibar, the group plans to build a new resort. In both cases, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts remains the owner and operator partner stipulated in the agreement.
According to the trade press, this dual agreement is part of Marriott International's strategy to expand its all-inclusive portfolio. It does not mean that the group is directly building or financing the two resorts.
The press release primarily highlights the contribution of the Marriott brands, its distribution tools, and Marriott Bonvoy. However, it does not disclose the investment amount, revenue forecast, or occupancy targets for the two properties.
Marriott International already has 38 all-inclusive resorts in the CALA region
At the time of the announcement, Marriott International stated that it operated 38 all-inclusive properties in nine markets across the Caribbean and Latin America region, under seven brands.
The group also indicated that it had sixteen additional projects in this region, representing approximately 5,600 rooms. In the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, four all-inclusive projects totaling nearly 1,990 rooms were included in its development portfolio.
These figures correspond to the pipeline communicated by Marriott International in July 2026. A project included in a pipeline is not necessarily guaranteed to open on the announced date, as some developments may be delayed, modified or abandoned.
Catalonia Hotels & Resorts contributes the assets and operations
Catalonia Hotels & Resorts is a family group created in Barcelona in the early 1980s. It owns, leases or operates 82 hotels and resorts representing more than 12,000 rooms in 25 destinations.
Its portfolio is primarily located in Europe, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. The partnership with Marriott International allows it to integrate two additional properties into the American group's commercial platforms and loyalty program.
Marriott Bonvoy had nearly 283 million members at the time of the announcement, according to Marriott International. This number is provided by the company and can change rapidly.
This operation confirms what is included in the all-inclusive package
This dual branding alone is insufficient to measure the overall growth of the all-inclusive market. However, it does confirm that Marriott International continues to expand this format beyond its historical portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Jamaica already hosts several all-inclusive resorts belonging to the group's brands. The Zanzibar project, meanwhile, marks a new announced entry for Autograph Collection Hotels into this segment in East Africa.
For distributors, the two products will not be available for several months. Their appeal will depend in particular on fares, air routes, sales conditions, tour operator schedules, and the final details of all-inclusive packages.
Article published on July 24, 2026 based on information available at that date.
Sources
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marriott-international-signs-dual-agreement-with-catalonia-hotels–resorts-to-bring-all-inclusive-properties-to-jamaica-and-tanzania-302832971.html
- https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4133634/marriott-international-signs-dual-agreement-with-catalonia-hotels-resorts-to-bring-all-inclusive-properties-to-jamaica-and-tanzania
- https://latribunedelhotellerie.com/marriott-catalonia-accord-jamaique-tanzanie/
- https://www.marriott.com/en-us/destinations/jamaica/all-inclusive-resorts.mi
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