Name: Tim Sheldon
Title: President, Caribbean & Latin America
Company, city: Marriott International, Inc.; Plantation, Fla.
Number of employees: More than 45,000 associates serve our guests in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Recent project: Opening Four Points in Havana, Cuba, was a highlight for 2016.
First job: I was a busboy/server in a Sheraton hotel in Fort Wayne, Ind., 31 years ago.
Little-known fact about you: I studied six years to become a Lutheran pastor while waiting tables at a hotel restaurant.
YOUR BUSINESS
What innovations/initiatives do you foresee in the industry over the next years?
Digital and mobile platforms will continue to be priorities, while delivering authentic local experiences will become increasingly important. Travelers want seamless technology and meaningful connections to the places they visit.
Marriott has introduced several initiatives that reflect these trends. Content Studio helps shape conversations within the travel world, while integrations such as Alipay, Apple Pay, Mobile Check‑in and Mobile Requests make it easier to connect with guests instantly. Food and beverage innovation like Canvas—a co‑creation incubator featuring local startups—supports authentic local offerings. Meetings Imagined rethinks how meetings are planned, making them more visual, social and purposeful.
What is the best career advice you’ve received?
The best advice came from Mr. Marriott: “Take care of the associates and they will take care of the guests.” That philosophy remains central to Marriott’s people‑first culture and underpins long‑term success.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the field?
Be ready to take on any role. This industry rewards curiosity and dedication; every position offers learning and experience that build a career over time.
Tim Sheldon as a Traveler
Favorite travel memory or story: Having visited 62 countries, it’s difficult to choose one memory, but a standout is cruising down the Nile River in Egypt with my wife, Janet, and friends—a memorable and elegant history lesson.
One travel tip you cannot live without: I never travel without Bose noise‑canceling ear pods; they’re small enough to fit in my pocket and make a big difference.
Best advice for business travelers: Keep travel simple. Use technology, leave the briefcase behind and embrace digital tools. I rely on an iPad Pro for notes and reports, mobile services for hotels and flights, and I try never to check a bag.
About Marriott International, Inc.
What can premium travelers expect from Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood?
The combined company offers one of the most diverse brand portfolios in the industry, including the largest luxury collection: 30 brands across more than 5,700 properties in over 110 countries. Members of Marriott Rewards, which includes The Ritz‑Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest can link accounts to access the benefits of both programs, expanding options and rewards for premium travelers.
With the acquisition of Starwood, Marriott’s portfolio in the CALA region nearly doubled. Tell us about the region’s most unique properties.
The 180‑room Four Points in Havana is the first U.S.‑branded hotel in Cuba, located in the Miramar residential district of Playa near modern architecture and just miles from Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco occupies a historic site built atop Incan ruins and around a 16th‑century convent. The property functions like a living museum with 153 rooms, exhibition halls for Peruvian artifacts and daily tours of the San Agustín Convent. It is steps from Plaza de Armas and a short trip from Machu Picchu.
The Sheraton Libertador Hotel in Buenos Aires offers intimate accommodations and sweeping city views from Avenida Córdoba in the vibrant city center, surrounded by boutiques, fine dining, museums and cultural venues.
Off the coast of Puerto Rico, W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island introduces visitors to an undiscovered Caribbean paradise with pristine beaches, wild horses and one of the world’s brightest bioluminescent bays. The resort features 156 rooms and suites designed by Patricia Urquiola.
What can travelers expect from Marriott in the CALA region in 2017?
CALA remains a strategic region for Marriott, where the company has operated since 1969. We see strong opportunities particularly in Brazil and Central America and plan to expand our presence there. We aim to create unique experiences for Marriott Rewards members—such as participating in a samba school during Brazil’s Carnival or attending an NFL game in Mexico City—while entering new markets like Nicaragua and Bolivia in 2017.