Above: the Scrub Island resort in BVI, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Marriott has named company veteran Craig Smith as its first-ever president for the Caribbean and Latin America, citing the “increasing importance” of the region.

Smith is currently vice president and Chief Operations Officer for Asia Pacific. He has previously served as general manager of properties in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Peru.

Above: Craig Smith

Marriott plans to double its footprint in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2017, adding 70 additional properties and 14,000 new jobs in 26 countries and territories.

“Lain America’s booming economy has led to an expanding middle class eager to travel to new places and do business within and outside the region, providing tremendous opportunities for Marriott’s portfolio of brands,” Smith said.

Marriott first entered the region with the 450-room Marriott CasaMagna Resort in Cancun and the 433-room Marriott CasaMagna Resort in Puerto Vallarta, both in 1990.