MGM Resorts International and Marriott International recently announced a marketing alliance that will bring 40,000 MGM rooms at 17 resorts under the Marriott hotel-booking umbrella.
“We look forward to increasing our global room distribution by 2.4 percent as we grow our presence on the Las Vegas Strip and in other compelling destinations across the U.S.,” said Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano, according to CDC Gaming Reports.
The 20-year agreement represents Marriott’s first foray into the casino sector. It will make MGM rooms available on a platform that includes more than 180 million members.
The agreement was founded on a co-marketing agreement between Marriott and MGM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, inherited from previous ownership.
MGM’s properties, including its 12 Strip resorts with more than 40,000 hotel rooms, will join the Marriott loyalty program to create the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy. The program will give the 40 million members of MGM’s loyalty program access to Marriott’s 8,500 hotel properties worldwide.
On a conference call, Marriott International CEO Tony Capuano said the new alliance goes far beyond the traditional franchise agreements. “This is a very robust relationship… that allows us to take full advantage of the brands or the entertainment and culinary offerings that MGM offers,” Capuano said, according to the Nevada Independent. “In turn it allows MGM and its loyalty members to take full advantage of the breadth of our global portfolio.”
“(Las Vegas) has evolved in recent years to become the sports and entertainment capital of the world,” MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle said on the conference call. “Las Vegas is truly a destination for everyone. Bonvoy members will have an inside track for all of it. We think there will be a tremendous opportunity for members of both companies’ loyalty programs.”
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
