Marriott International announced four stellar appointments to its Sales Team as the company prepares for a boom in international business in 2023.

With room numbers set to increase by more than 1500 next year across five new hotels in Melbourne (The Ritz-Carlton, Le Meridien), Sydney (W Sydney, Moxy Sydney Airport) and Courtyard by Marriott, Perth Murdoch, the bolstered sales team will be vital to support Marriott’s continued growth in the market.

Marriott has seen a significant increase in new business leads in recent months and the four new sales team associates will position the global hotel brand to meet this increased demand. New business enquiries in Australia and New Zealand are currently tracking 20% ahead of 2019 levels, with overall revenue for this region ahead of 2019 for the same period and new lead generation from Asian markets is back to 50% of 2019 levels and climbing steadily.

The first in the string of new sales team appointments, Karryn Cutcheon who has been with Marriott since 2005, re-joins the team as Regional Director, Global Sales for Australia and New Zealand. Cutcheon will report to Ramesh Daryanani, Vice President of Global Sales and will lead sales performance by keeping the team energised and focused on supporting Marriott’s valued customers.

“With the return of international travel our customers are once again eager to go abroad and experience new destinations. We are also seeing a strong return of interest in international destinations such as the US, UK and Europe with companies now looking to take their teams offshore,” Cutcheon said.

“With more than 8,200 hotels in 138 countries and territories, together with a portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, we aim to deliver an unmatched collection of innovative spaces, inspired experiences, and personalized services to our customers. We will also deliver educational and informative B2B Marriott Bonvoy Events to engage and educate both our hotels and customers.” 

Cutcheon first started her career with Marriott more than 15 years ago in sales at The Westin Melbourne. She relocated to Sydney in 2019 to accept the role as Director of Sales at Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour before joining ANZ Global Sales, leading the Sydney and Brisbane offices. After playing a key role in the Marriott integration with Global Sales, Cutcheon joined flagship property Sydney Harbour Marriott as Director of Sales & Marketing, achieving record hotel, and food & beverage revenue.

The other key appointments are industry experts and include Joo-Rei Mathieson taking on the role of Market Director of Sales – Western Markets, Liza Bajracharya who assumes the same responsibility for Asia as Market Director of Sales – Asia, and Takashi Sogabe who has been appointed Market Senior Sales Manager. All three exceptional hires will report to Ashley Hansen, Senior Area Director of Sales & Distribution, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands.

Mathieson returns to Marriott, bringing with her a wealth of global hospitality experience spanning the USA, Bermuda, Europe, and Asia. Most recently she supported the leadership of 23 team members as Multi-Property Assistant Director of Sales at the 4,001-room Sheraton Grand Macao and St Regis Macao since November 2019.

Bajracharya brings close to 18 years’ experience in the hotel, hospitality, and tourism industries, most recently as the Assistant Director Corporate & Incentives at BESydney. A strategic sales and marketing expert, she was responsible for securing business events from domestic and international markets specializing in South Asia, Japan, and India,

Sogabe also re-joins the ANZP Asia Destination Sales team after a short stint with them from 2019 before leaving due to the pandemic. He has had a strong focus on developing the growing Asian Inbound market and business development, across leisure, corporate and government sectors during his almost 20-year hospitality career.

Sean Hunt, Area Vice President Australia, New Zealand & Pacific at Marriott International said the new hires are vital as the company plans to open its 1000th hotel in APEC, in early 2023, a strong sign of confidence in the potential growth of the region.

“The bolstered sales team will help us to continue our growth momentum and maintain an industry leading position as international travel recovers from the pandemic.  The new associates joining the Sales Team will build on Marriott’s vision for delivering exceptional travel experiences for leisure and business guests,” he said.

“We are delighted to welcome Karryn back to the Global Sales team and are confident she will lead the team to success, bolstered by support from Joo-Rei, Liza, Takashi and the rest of the brilliant ANZ team.”