Marriott has announced the launch of a new global sales strategy to significantly improve the delivery of its sales and account management services in Russia.

The structure and focus on Russia reflects Marriott’s commitment to this growing customer base and the importance of the country as a key global source market.

Marriott International is well on its way of meeting its goal of doubling its presence in Europe from 40,000 rooms to 80,000 rooms from 2010 to 2015.

The company sees expansion in Russia as a key driver in continuing to facilitate that growth.

With 12 properties in Russia including the recently opened Courtyard Kazan, Marriott has three additional hotels currently under development in Russia including the Courtyard Irkutsk City Centre and the Courtyard Moscow Pavelestskya, both scheduled to open later this year.

In addition, the Krasnodar Marriott Hotel is set to open in 2012.

As Marriott continues to expand its presence and focus on Russia as a key source market it is introducing a new sales structure and enlarging its Global Sales Organisation (GSO).

With a more robust GSO in Russia, the company is able to serve more accounts across the Marriott portfolio of brands and capture more business from key buyers who have significant local and international lodging requirements.

Neal Jones, vice president of Marriott’s Global Sales Europe said: “Our new approach to global sales in Russia reaffirms our commitment to this important market and will serve to further strengthen our position as Russia’s preferred lodging supplier with true global reach.

“We see significant growth in both regional and outbound travel from Russia, and are now prepared to better serve our customers.”