Marriott to open hotel in Albania’s Tirana
Hotel operator Marriott International has signed an agreement with Albanian construction company AlbStar for a five-star hotel in the capital Tirana nearly one year after it de-flagged Sheraton Tirana, Albania's government said. Marriott International will be part of the National Arena project, currently under construction by AlbStar, the government said in a press release on Tuesday, following the signing of the agreement. No further details were provided by the government. In January, Marriott International, owner of the Sheraton hotel brand, told SeeNews that it is no longer managing the Sheraton Tirana property as of December 31, 2017. “Marriott is ensuring a smooth transition for associates, clients and partners of the property,” the company said in an e-mailed statement sent to SeeNews late on Wednesday. Sheraton Tirana will leave the system, Marriott said. The company did not comment on the reasons for the de-flagging of its Albanian property. In September, US hospitality chain Hilton opened its first hotel in Albania, introducing its Garden Inn hotel brand in the capital Tirana. The total cost of the hotel is estimated at 19 million euro ($22.2 million) and the contract for its management was signed in 2014 between Hilton and local investor Ali Selmani, according to Tirana-based ATA news agency. Hilton Garden Inn Tirana is part of the Hilton Garden Inn hotel brand, which has over 750 hotels around the world.
