Marriott has opened the office in Sao Paulo, Brazil as part of an overall global restructuring of the company to focus on growth in emerging markets with a local focus.

Guilherme Cesari has been named vice president of development for Brazil, reporting to Laurent de Kousemaeker, chief development officer for Marriott in the Caribbean & Latin America region. Most recently, Mr. Cesari served as partner at HVS; the world's largest consulting firm specializing in hotel investments, based in their Sao Paulo office.

"We are thrilled by the opportunity to truly embed ourselves into the local Brazilian market and capitalize on future hotel development and branding opportunities," said Tony Capuano, executive vice president of global development for Marriott International. "By opening this new office, we now have the ability to better engage and understand the local dynamics of this exciting market," he continued.

"Guilherme's vast local knowledge and strategic focus, combined with his extensive hotel investment experience will ensure his success working with our current and future partners in Brazil," said Mr. de Kousemaeker. "We recognize that Brazil is an exciting market, with ample opportunity for consistent, reliable hotel product at all levels – from The Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance to Fairfield Inn hotels," he continued.

In his new role, Mr. Cesari will be responsible for the overall hotel development in Brazil. Marriott International currently offers four hotels in the country, spanning four lodging brands including the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro, the Sao Paulo Airport Marriott, the Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel, and the Marriott Executive Apartments Sao Paulo.

In addition to its hotel portfolio, Marriott International recently announced its partnership with the state of Amazonas in Brazil, helping to protect 1.4 million acres (589,000 hecatres) of endangered rainforest in the Juma Sustainable Development Reserve.

The project will support the employment, education and healthcare for the approximately 2,500 people who live there. Marriott has committed $2 million to this rainforest fund.