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Marriott International announced plans to push forward with modular construction, particularly for its North American hotels.
The company will use modularly constructed guest rooms or bathrooms in 50 hotel deals this year, a total that includes more than 10% of its 2017 North American Select Brand signings.
“Construction is the next frontier for innovation, and modular is leading the way,” Marriott’s Select Brands chief development officer Eric Jacobs said, adding that it allows owners to open hotels faster while avoiding the construction labor shortage.
Hotel developers are struggling with soaring construction wages, pushed up by a massive construction pipeline and labor shortages, with skilled workers demanding up to 30% higher wages. Marriott has already used modular construction to supplement hotel construction, and this announcement suggests that trend is not going to stop anytime soon.
