Marriott International suspends Russia operations

MOSCOW. June 3 (Interfax) - Marriott International is suspending its operations in Russia because the new sanctions imposed by the United States, Britain and the European Union are making it impossible to operate, the company said on Friday.

On March 10 it was decided to close the corporate office in Moscow and put business investment on hold, including new hotel openings and projects to develop the chain, it recalled.

"Now we consider the new U.S., British and EU restrictions to be making it impossible to continue Marriott's operations or hotel franchising on the Russian market. This is why we have decided to suspend all Marriott International operations in Russia. The process of suspending operations in a market where Marriott has worked for 25 years is complicated," the statement said.

The company said it will continue taking care of its employees in Russia.

Marriott International is an international hotel operator founded in 1927. It is the world's largest hotel chain by guestrooms. Almost 8,500 hospitality facilities operate under its brands, with 120,000 employees. Most of these hotels are not owned, but are either franchised or operated by the company. The most famous brands include Ritz Carlton, St Regis, Marriott, Sheraton, Le Meridien and Renaissance, among many others. In Russia, Marriott was also the largest hotel chain by number of guestrooms.