Why Marriott built its GCC in India?

Drew Pinto, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue & Technology Officer of Marriott International, tells Hotelier India all about finding the best talent in India...

- VINODINI RAO

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL: PIONEERING TECH INNOVATION IN INDIA

In an increasingly tech-driven world, the hospitality industry is no exception. Marriott International, a global leader in the hospitality sector, is taking a bold step towards innovation by establishing its first-ever tech accelerator outside of the United States in Hyderabad, India. This ambitious project is part of Marriott's global growth strategy and aims to enhance its digital and technology capabilities. Hyderabad, known for its booming tech ecosystem and government investment, will soon become the home of this cutting-edge technology center. Set to open in the first quarter of 2025, the center is poised to bolster Marriott's security operations, development, and engineering efforts.

In an exclusive interview with Drew Pinto, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue & Technology Officer of Marriott International, Hotelier India gained insights into the company's vision, the motivation behind establishing a Global Capability Center (GCC) in India, and how technology is reshaping the hospitality industry.

THE DECISION TO ESTABLISH A TECH HUB IN INDIA

When asked about the motivation behind setting up Marriott's first-ever Global Capability Center (GCC) in India, Pinto emphasized the importance of expanding the company's digital and technological capabilities in order to support its global hotel growth. Marriott currently operates in 141 countries, with 153 hotels in India and another 84 in the pipeline. As part of its aggressive plan to reinvent its digital and technology platforms, Marriott recognized the need to access the best tech talent globally. India, with its thriving tech talent pool, was an obvious choice.