Marriott International president and CEO Arne Sorenson has confirmed the hotel group's plans to double the number of properties it operates across the Caribbean and Latin America by 2017.

Sorenson made the announcement at the Americas CEO Summit in Colombia on 13 April, with more than 70 new hotels and 14,000 jobs set to be created across the region over the next five years.

The operator currently has 35 properties signed and under development in the Caribbean and Latin America, which include the Port-au-Prince Marriott Hotel in Haiti among others.

New opening scheduled for this year include the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Americas at Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico, which will incorporate the 5-acre (2-hectare) Spa Botánico.

By 2017, Marriott International is set to have a Caribbean and Latin American portfolio that contains more than 140 properties and 30,000 bedrooms either open or in the development pipeline.

Sorenson said: "Latin America is booming, in terms of economic growth and political and institutional stability, which is creating a promising business climate.

"The rising middle class throughout the region is eager to travel to new places and do business on the road. Worldwide, we're seeing a golden age of travel, and Latin America is at the forefront."

Details: www.marriott.com

Image: Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico