Marriott International has appointed Sander Looijen as its new Market Vice President for Vietnam, effective June 22, 2026. He will oversee the company’s hotel operations and rapid expansion in this key Asian market.
Key highlights:
- Sander Looijen is a hospitality expert with 25 years of experience
- He will oversee a growing portfolio of 32 hotels & resorts across Vietnam
- His Marriott career commenced in 2001 and has spanned countries across Asia Pacific
- A multi-award-winning executive, he has a track record of successful hotel openings
- Most recently, Sander was Marriott’s Area General Manager for Bali (Premium & Select Properties)
With more than 25 years of hospitality experience at hotels and resorts across Asia Pacific, including four General Manager roles and a spell as Area Director of Operations for South Korea, Sander has an intuitive understanding of this dynamic region. Most recently, he was Marriott’s Area General Manager for Bali (Premium & Select Properties), overseeing a portfolio of 22 hotels and resorts in this popular Indonesian island and leading the opening of eight new properties.
Sander exemplifies Marriott’s founding philosophy of “Putting People First”, which recognizes talent and gives every associate a clear pathway to maximize their potential. A graduate of the Hotel Management School Maastricht in the Netherlands, he joined the company as a trainee in 2001 and progressively advanced through a series of promotions. An F&B specialist, he was appointed Director of Restaurants & Bars for Asia Pacific in 2012, before achieving his first GM’s position in 2015, at Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa. Following managerial roles at hotels and resorts in Hong Kong and Bali, he became Marriott’s Area GM – Bali (Premium & Select) in 2024.
Throughout his stellar career, Sander has received multiple honors and accolades. In 2017, while at Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, he won Marriott’s “General Manager of the Year” award for Asia Pacific.
Now, as Market Vice President for Vietnam, he will oversee a portfolio of 32 hotels and resorts across the country, comprising 9,900+ keys and spanning 11 brands. With more than 50 new projects in the pipeline, Vietnam is one of Marriott’s fastest-growing markets worldwide.
“It is a great honor to have been appointed Market Vice President for Vietnam. This is a wonderfully diverse and vibrant region, with many exceptional hotels and an exciting pipeline that will see the debut of new landmark hotels and iconic brands. I look forward to working alongside our talented teams, owners and partners to deliver unforgettable guest experiences and elevate the performance of our properties,” said Sander Looijen, Market Vice President, Vietnam, Marriott International.
Sander will be based at Marriott International’s Vietnam office in Ho Chi Minh City. When he is not working, he enjoys playing water polo, running, working out in the gym, and listening to music.
