Marriott International Partners With Aoi To Develop Future Hospitality Leaders In Thailand
Secondary education students to be offered opportunities for field visits, mentoring and internships at Marriott’s portfolio of hotels and resorts across the kingdom
Marriott International, Inc. has formalized a strategic partnership with the Arthit Ourairat Institution (AOI) to help develop the next generation of hospitality leaders in Thailand by providing opportunities for secondary education students to enjoy field visits, mentorship, and internships across Marriott’s portfolio of more than 67 hotels and resorts nationwide.
This marks the first time Marriott International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an international secondary education institution in Thailand, underscoring its commitment to early-stage talent development and “Putting People First.”
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok will become the pilot property for this initiative, which is expected to be rolled out all across Thailand in future. The location of AOI’s Thai campuses – in Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang Mai – aligns strategically with Marriott’s nationwide presence, creating meaningful opportunities to connect education with real-world industry experience.
Ms. Priya Panjikar, Senior Director of Human Resources – Thailand, Cambodia & Myanmar at Marriott International, highlighted the shared vision behind the partnership:
“AOI’s commitment to academic excellence and real-world readiness makes it an ideal partner. This collaboration bridges classroom learning with practical hospitality exposure, providing students with hands-on experience, industry insights, mentorship, and potential career pathways within Marriott’s global network,” Ms. Panjikar revealed.
Through a progressive model, students will participate in introductory field trips in the early stages of their secondary education, followed by structured internships, departmental shadowing, and project-based learning during the upper secondary stage of their studies.
Mr. Duke Theerathada, Chief Brand Strategist of AOI, emphasized that hospitality serves as an exceptional foundation for leadership development:
“The hospitality environment builds empathy, communication skills, and professional discipline, even for students who choose different career paths. Most importantly, it ignites passion beyond the classroom,” he commented.
Marriott and AOI expressed their confidence that this partnership will inspire young individuals to explore hospitality as a rewarding global career while strengthening Thailand’s long-term industry talent base. Further program details will be announced as the collaboration progresses.
To learn more about Marriott International, please visit www.marriott.com.
