Interview Bart Buiring - the Managing Director of Luxury for Greater China at Marriott International

Introduce yourself and your role at Marriott International

My name is Bart, and I’m the Managing Director of Luxury for Greater China at Marriott International. I grew up in a quaint village called Roden in the Netherlands, situated just 15km south of Groningen. After attending hotel school in Maastricht, I started my career abroad. I’ve been with Marriott for over 24 years, starting as F&B Director at the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu in India. Today, I work with our teams to oversee the Luxury Group in Greater China, supporting almost 80 luxury hotels and resorts. My focus on financial growth, operational excellence, and memorable guest experiences, while building a strong culture for our associates and delivering value to our owners.

You’ve been working at Marriott International for almost 25 years now. What makes the Marriott International stand out to you?

What’s always stood out to me is Marriott International’s ability to nurture growth, both for its people and its brands. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work in 14 different roles across several countries, which has given me a broad perspective. When I first joined, Marriott had around 40 hotels in Asia-Pacific. Earlier this year, we celebrated our 600th in Greater China, an incredible journey that’s been possible thanks to strong culture, clear direction, and the passion of our teams.

Are there any recent developments in the hospitality scene in Greater China and Asia?

It’s an exciting time for hospitality in the region. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection recently announced its Asia-Pacific route for Luminara, which will include stops in both Shanghai and Hong Kong, introducing a new dimension of luxury travel. In Yunnan, we’re preparing to open The Dali EDITION, our first luxury hotel in the province, and we’re also expanding into key cities like Wuhan and Hangzhou.

We’ve also been telling fresh, experiential stories. Together with SCMP, we launched Heartbeat of a Destination, a three-part video series exploring celebrated destinations such as Hong Kong, Jiuzhaigou, and Shanghai through the lens of our talent, showing how our hotels act as cultural bridges. Food continues to play a big role, too. Guests are asking for more local flavors and unique dining experiences. Our Culinary Atelier program responds to that, offering intimate menus and tastings. And I’m proud that several of our restaurants in Greater China have been recognized with Michelin stars and Black Pearl honors, it’s a credit to the talent and creativity of our chefs.

Do you have anything exciting to look forward to?

What excites me most is how luxury is evolving. It’s no longer just about beautiful hotels, it’s about personalization, culture, wellness, and sustainability. We have over 40 luxury properties in the pipeline in Greater China, each one an opportunity to connect with guests in a fresh way. Asia’s tourism infrastructure is growing quickly, and that gives us a lot of room to innovate while staying true to each brand. For me, the best part is seeing how our hotels become places of real cultural exchange, creating lasting memories for our guests.