It's not surprising to hear about new hotel openings and development plans for the rest of this year and into 2012.

We've reported on and interviewed CEOs of worldwide hotel groups to get their perspectives and potential goals for future growth. But when Marriott International announced that its signature brand, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, would open nearly 50 new hotels in the next four years, we decided to dig in and learn more.

The multi-billion investment in the brand by its owners and franchisees was one of the biggest financial announcements Marriott has made since the economic downfall crippled the tourism industry, but as the economy is showing signs of rebound, so are hotel companies.

"We are thrilled to announce this major growth trajectory of new hotels, each with its own unique design and sense of place but the same high standard of service and amenities that Marriott Hotels & Resorts provides to discerning and high-achieving business, meeting and leisure travelers worldwide," said Paul Cahill, senior vice president, brand management for Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

Cahill sited Brazil, India, Russia and China as the emerging markets where most of the growth economically in the world resides. "As business is exploding in these countries there's a need for hotels. Globally, we are clearly the leader as far as brand awareness. In the next 20 years, we could have maybe as many hotels in China as we have in America."

With more than 500 hotels open in 54 countries, Marriott Hotels & Resorts is the company's most widely distributed brand, with a concentration of hotels in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Europe, China and Mexico.  But it's more than just new hotels for Marriott.

The Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand is taking a queue from other hotel groups and focusing their new lobby designs on the "social space" concept click to read Cahill says Marriott's new hotels will feature a newly designed and interactive lobby space that allows guests to do everything from run small business meetings to social with friends over cocktails and light bites, any time of the day or night.
 
Where will most of the new development take place? Not surprisingly, Marriott Hotels & Resorts has set its sights on Asia. Just last month, the hotel group opened the 295-room Shanghai Marriott Lawn and the 364-room Jaipur Marriott Hotel (which we're told has the largest ballroom in Jaipur).

Upcoming openings include the 5-star, 720-room Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre, the 319-room Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe, the 199-room Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa, and the 392-room Haikou Marriott Resort and Spa, which will open as part of the new Hainan International Conference & Exhibition Center and offer three restaurants, lobby bar and lounge, a fitness center, spa and tennis courts.

"In China, 10 to 15 years ago, there wasn't a middle class. Today, there is roughly 200 million middle class and they are traveling within Asia and China, so it makes sense that hotel growth is strong. The growth is just out of control." said Cahill. "In China, the largest leisure segment is Chinese travelers right now - the length of stay is one day, and people are traveling are business and extending their stay by a day or two and becoming leisure travelers. What's going to happen next is that once those people start traveling more, they are probably going to start to travel first in Europe and then potentially into the US."

And that's where Marriott Hotels & Resorts plans to grab their attention.  In total, Marriott Hotels & Resorts has 12 new hotels opening in the Americas, 24 in Asia/Pacific, 4 in Europe and 9 in the Middle East/Africa (we've printed the entire list below for you). So what's next?

"The U.S. recovery is underway," said Cahill. "We're cautiously optimistic about the short-term, but when we looked at the hotels, these aren't short-term investments. The development in Americas is about the next 20-25 years. The other factor is that money is cheap again. Interest rates are better, banks are loosening up - it's very encouraging."

Where can you see the new Marriott Hotels & Resorts? Cahill tells me that in addition to the boom in China, American travelers can keep their eyes out for a few more luxury properties. Cahill said he'd like to see a JW Marriott - the hotel company's luxury resort brand - in New York City and Boston, two of the most popular travel destinations in the U.S.

Here's where you'll find the rest of the Marriott Hotels & Resorts new openings:
 
The Americas (12 hotels)

• 223-room Marriott Mexico City – Santa Fe, Mexico (2012)
• 425-room Chicago Marriott Naperville, USA (2012)
• 200-room Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, USA (2012)
• 278-room Cartagena Marriott Hotel, Colombia (2013)
• 201-room Marriott Hotel Georgetown, Guyana (2013)
• 250-room Atlanta Marriott Sugarloaf Parkway, USA (2013)
• 232-room Marriott Memphis Southeast, USA (2013)
• 284-room Peoria Marriott Downtown, USA (2013)
• 1,175-room Washington Marriott

Melanie Nayer is a hotel reviewer and expert on luxury travel around the world. She has covered all aspects of hotels including corporate restructures, re-branding initiatives, historical aspects and the best of the best in luxury hotels around the world.

Melanie writes a weekly exclusive column for 4Hoteliers.com