Marriott International has announced that Atlantis, Paradise Island, a premier destination resort in the Bahamas and Caribbean, will operate under a franchise agreement with Marriott and benefit from the company’s global sales and reservations.

By joining Marriott’s Autograph Collection, a rapidly growing exclusive portfolio of over 60 independent hotels in key locations across the globe, the 3,400-room Atlantis will also gain from the 45-million member Marriott Rewards loyalty programme and Marriott.com which generates more than $9.6 billion in gross room bookings annually.

Atlantis marks the collection’s first member resort in The Bahamas and will be the largest hotel in the portfolio. The property, owned by Brookfield Asset Management and independently managed, is expected to officially join the Autograph Collection in the fall.

“Having Atlantis, Paradise Island join our Autograph Collection is a milestone achievement for the brand and the company,” said Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International.  “We are excited to partner with Brookfield and put the full power of Marriott behind one of the world’s most spectacular and popular resorts, while adding to our global resort portfolio in a key destination where we know our guests want to travel.”

“This is a significant milestone for us today as Marriott International not only marks its entry into the Bahamas, but also celebrates our 80th hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America’s rapidly growing portfolio,” said Craig Smith, president of the Caribbean and Latin America region for Marriott International.

“This is an exciting time for hotel development in the region, where we have over 50 hotels under development and expect to offer more than 150 hotels by 2017 across ten lodging brands in 27 countries and territories.”

“This agreement to partner with the Autograph Collection could arguably be the single most significant tourism stimulus for The Bahamas in this decade.  This strategic and beneficial partnership will help grow visitation of Marriott International loyalists to the country and open a broader channel for guests to visit Atlantis from around the world,” said George Markantonis, president and managing director of Brookfield Hospitality and Atlantis, Paradise Island.

Atlantis is a unique, ocean-themed destination offering a variety of guest accommodations; 40 restaurants, bars and lounges; the largest and most exciting casino in The Bahamas; extensive meeting facilities; and a marina capable of handling yachts of any size, all built around a 141-acre waterscape comprised of fresh and saltwater lagoons, pools and habitats. – TradeArabia News Service