Former Group President & Managing Director of Marriott International
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CRAIG S. SMITH
Craig oversaw the global operations for the fastest-growing division of the world’s largest hospitality company, Marriott International, with specific responsibility for 2,500+ hotels worldwide with $15B+ USD in sales across 136 countries and territories.
His leadership spanned a diverse workforce of 230,000+ employees who speak more than 60 different languages. He also had oversight of the deployment of 28 iconic brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Westin and W Hotels Worldwide backed by one of the world’s largest loyalty platforms, Marriott Bonvoy® with 150M+ members.
In addition to his executive responsibilities at the FORTUNE 500 company, he serves as a global statesman and industry leader in the travel and tourism sector which impacts roughly 10% of global GDP and one in ten jobs. He regularly interacts around thE world with public and private officials, hotel owners, and investors. He also provides leadership surrounding global governance and ethics.
He began his multiple-decade career in operations focused on balanced performance backed by measurable metrics, supply chain management, and advancing a renowned and socially responsible culture rooted in welcoming and providing an opportunity for all. One of his proudest career accomplishments is being on the forefront of lifting people and families out of poverty through extensive and deliberate hiring, training, and sourcing practices worldwide.
A five-time, award-winning hotel General Manager (GM) in varied
locations from San Salvador to Phuket, his personal and professional journey and rare, in-depth experience in multiple continents continues to impact and inform his strategic judgment and magnetic management style.
A strong industry advocate with honed global expertise, Mr. Smith
is a frequent contributor to G20 public-private sector travel and
tourism initiatives. He chairs the board of the US-ASEAN Business
Council, is on the board of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum
(USISPF), is the lead representative for Marriott International, Inc, for the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and is a sought-after speaker and media source on the state of global travel and tourism and its geopolitical and economic impact.
The son of an Career Ambassador and father of five, Craig has lived
in 13 countries and has a deep appreciation for cultural differences
across generations and geographies. He is a certified private pilot,
master scuba diver, skis, and loves motorcycles. Craig is fluent in
English and Spanish and is conversant in Portuguese. A mentor to
many, he is appreciated worldwide for championing personal and
professional development.
Bloomberg - "Starting to See Glimmers of Hope"
01
Craig S. Smith, group president and managing director for Asia Pacific at Marriott International Inc., discusses the impact coronavirus has had on business, where he’s seeing, the pickup they’re seeing in China and the plans for expansion. He speaks exclusively on “Bloomberg Markets: China Open.”
Bloomberg - "Impact of COVID-19 on Hotel Industry"
02
Craig Smith, Group President & Managing Director (APAC), at Marriott International, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the hotel industry with Bryan Curtis and Juliette Saly on Bloomberg Daybreak Asia.
US-ASEAN Business Council - Craig elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors
03
(Washington, DC) The US-ASEAN Business Council is pleased to announce the election of Craig S. Smith, as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors. In his capacity as Chairman, Mr. Smith will oversee the efforts of offices across eight countries, as the US-ABC – the only U.S. organization written into the ASEAN Charter...
Young Hotelier's Summit - Opening Keynote
04
Craig S. Smith introduced at the Young Hotelier's Summit 2022 as opening Keynote Speaker. He gives advice about careers in the hotel industry and key leadership principles.
Lifestyle Asia - "How To Succeed: Craig Smith"
05
Known by peers in the industry as a seasoned hotelier, Smith makes a compelling case for the age-old (not to mention, millennially co-signed) adage ‘start ’em young’. The American exec got into the biz whilst still at university: contributing to his reputation for a hands-on egalitarian style of leadership. Fast forward 30 years, and he’s now responsible for the single biggest hotel group in the Asia-Pacific, overseeing more than 750 hotels and a veritable army of 160,000 employees...
Aviation Adventures - "Old Dog, New Wings..."
06
Craig advances on his bucket list goal of flying and earns his Private Pilots License. Read about his journey in aviation and what he's learned along the way.
