Marriott suspends hotel operations in Russia, citing sanctions

• Marriott International has ceased operations in Russia, a market for 25 years.
• In March, the company closed its corporate office in Moscow and halted the opening and development of new hotels in Russia.
• Marriott said it would continue to focus on “caring” for its Russian-based staff.

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After the Russian war in Ukraine entered its 100th day, Marriott International issued a statement that it would suspend all its operations in Russia.

“We have come to the conclusion that the newly announced restrictions of the United States, Britain and the EU will make it impossible for Marriott to continue to operate or franchise hotels in the Russian market,” the company said in a statement.

The withdrawal of Marriott follows the hotel groups Best Western and Hyatt, which were the first to withdraw from Russia.

In March, Marriott closed its corporate office in Moscow and halted the opening of new hotels and the launch of hotel development and investment in Russia.

In May, the company said in its first-quarter earnings report that the war had not yet affected demand in Russia.

“The cancellation is minimal,” Marriott said at the time, calling employment in the country’s 23 open places “modest.” The company said its business operations in Russia “represent well below 1% of our global fees in 2019.”

Marriott called the suspension of its operations in the Russian market, where it has been for 25 years, a “complicated” process in its statement.

As the company withdraws from Russia, it says it will continue to take care of its Russian-based associates.

“Since the war began, we have supported collaborators in Ukraine, Russia and throughout the region, including providing Marriott jobs outside of countries directly affected by the conflict,” the Marriott said in a statement.

The company said it spent $ 1 million to help employees and their families with resettlement assistance.

More than 85 of Marriott’s hotels provide accommodation for 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, the statement said.