SINGAPORE, 22 October 2025: Marriott International Inc. names Gautam Bhandari Chief Development Officer, Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC). He will assume the role on 1 January 2026.
With over two decades of proven leadership across markets and disciplines, Gautam brings the vision and expertise to drive Marriott International’s continued growth and development momentum across the APEC region.
In his new role, Bhandari will advance Marriott’s strategic growth plans in a region that spans more than 650 open hotels across 25 brands in 22 countries, with over 380 hotels in the development pipeline.
He will lead a high-performing development team across APEC, covering key markets such as Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, New Zealand, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, with a focus on new builds, conversions, franchising, branded residential, and strategic partnerships.
He joined Marriott in 2007 as Area Director of Revenue and has held various leadership roles spanning revenue management, hotel operations, sales, marketing, and development. Since 2023, he has served as Senior Vice President, Development and Operations, holding dual responsibilities in development, while overseeing the operations of Marriott’s Premium and Select brand hotels in Singapore and the Maldives.
Based in Singapore, he succeeds Shawn Hill, who will step into the Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Global role for Marriott International in early 2026.
(Source: Marriott International)
