Laurent de Kousemaeker is the Chief Development Officer for Marriott International Inc. in the Caribbean & Latin America (CALA) region.

With over 25 years of experience in the hotel industry – ranging from hotel operations, sales & marketing, finance, feasibility, valuations, transactions, and development – Laurent is responsible for the growth strategy and new-unit transactions for all of Marriott International’s 30 brands across the region; leading a multi-cultural team comprised of experienced and talented regional transactors located in Miami, Mexico City, San Jose, Bogotá, and Buenos Aires.

Under Laurent’s visionary leadership, Marriott’s presence in the CALA region grew from 55 open hotels in 2008, to 330 open hotels with 116 signed hotel projects in the pipeline in Q1 2023.  In his early days with Marriott, Laurent originated one of the company’s largest and most successful joint-venture deals (AC by Marriott; 9,100 rooms) in 2011.  From 2014 he led the company’s strategy into the all-inclusive space, resulting in Marriott’s entry into this segment in 2019 and, subsequent, closing the region’s largest no-equity transaction (Blue Diamond Resorts; 7,200 rooms) in 2021.  Most recently, Laurent secured the acquisition of the City Express brand portfolio (150 hotels and 17,000 rooms), introducing Marriott to the affordable midscale segment, and positioning it to become the largest hotel company in the Caribbean and Latin America upon closing of the transaction

Before joining Marriott in 2005, he was Managing Director of HVS‘s Madrid office, which he opened in 2002. HVS is a global consulting firm focused exclusively on the hospitality industry. From 1999 to 2002, he was a Senior Associate at HVS‘s office in London. During the 6 years prior to that, he worked in hotel management positions in a wide range of on-property disciplines in Europe and the Caribbean including Operations Manager, Sales Manager, Assistant F&B Director and Banqueting.  In fact, he first started in the hotel business as a bellboy at the Kurhaus Hotel in The Hague on weekends during high school, and as a kitchen porter during summers.

Having lived in 15 different cities and 11 different countries, the global exposure and language skills he has gained over the years are well suited to crossing cultural divides among stakeholders from different countries and continents.  He is often characterized for his courageous, authentic, and innovative leadership style.  In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, outdoor sports, meditation, and personal growth.

(March 2022)