Marriott International has completed the acquisition of the Delta Hotels & Resorts brand and management and franchise business from Delta Hotels Limited, a subsidiary of British Columbia Investment Management Corporation.

The transaction increases Marriott’s distribution in Canada to more than 120 hotels and 27,000 rooms, making Marriott the largest full-service hotel company in Canada. 

With the closing of the Delta transaction, Marriott’s development pipeline in Canada exceeds 45 properties and 7,300 rooms.

Marriott’s Delta portfolio comprises an exciting range of hotels and resorts with 37 hotels and nearly 10,000 rooms in more than 30 cities across Canada. 

Delta offers a fresh approach to the guest experience, including its new modern guest room designs, innovative use of technology, and new properties, such as its flagship Delta Toronto located at the hub of Canada’s hottest high-rise neighbourhood, South Core. 

In addition to key gateway cities, Delta also features one-of-a-kind hotels in resort locations such as Banff and Whistler.

Arne Sorenson, Marriott International president, said, “We can now officially say ‘welcome’ and ‘bienvenue’ to approximately 6,500 new colleagues at both managed and franchised hotels across Delta’s portfolio. 

“We look forward to the growth of the Delta brand throughout Canada and beyond. 

“As we integrate the Delta brand and hotels into the Marriott International family, together we will work toward new opportunities in the years to come.”

According to the Canadian Tourism Commission, more than 15 million international travellers visited Canada in 2014, and the US Office of Travel & Tourism Industries estimates that Canadians made nearly 20 million trips to the US in 2014.

Don Cleary, president for Marriott Hotels in Canada, said: “Today concluded several months of very productive collaboration.

“We are delighted that this will provide new travel experiences for both Delta and Marriott customers and new opportunities for our owners and franchisees.

“We believe both Marriott’s existing hotels and the newly added Delta hotels will benefit from new synergies that incorporate our shared values and commitment to our guests.”

Under terms of the agreement, Marriott acquired the Delta management and franchise business, as well as the Delta brand and related intellectual property.

Marriott paid US$134 million to complete the deal.

bcIMC-affiliated entities own 13 Delta hotels (and one under development) and have signed new 30-year management agreements with Marriott for these properties. 

Third parties own the other 24 Delta hotels; 14 are managed by Delta and ten are franchised.