SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 26 June 2023: Marriott International is pleased to announce the appointment of Jai Leighton as General Manager to the Four Points by Sheraton Auckland as of the 17th of July 2023. 

Jai joins Four Points by Sheraton Auckland with over 20 years experience in the hospitality industry, working for some of the world's leading hospitality brands and integrated resorts across Australia and New Zealand.  

In his role as General Manager Jai will oversee a team of 115 associates and all operations of the property including sales and marketing, reservations and guest services, revenue, engineering, operations, food and beverage across two restaurants and bars, and MICE programming across 195 square metres of event space. 

Jai first joined Marriott International in 2020 to launch the first JW Marriott branded property in the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific market – JW Marriott Gold Coast.  During this time, he helped facilitate several awards for the property including the 2021 HM Awards for Hotel Excellence Resort of the Year Winner, 2022 Queensland Tourism Awards Best Redeveloped Hotel and Accommodation Hotel of the Year.  

He has since relocated to Auckland to introduce the JW Marriott brand to the New Zealand market, overseeing the staged conversion of the property into a Marriott International luxury brand in his role as Hotel Manager.  

“We look forward to Jai's success in his new role as General Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Auckland and are confident that his previous experience at Marriott International will make him a strong asset to the team”, said Sean Hunt, Area Vice President, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific, Marriott International. “Jai's expertise on the New Zealand market through his work in launching our flagship brand into the country will bring valuable perspective to his role at Four Points by Sheraton, and his demonstrated leadership skills will see him thrive in this new role”. 

"I am extremely excited to join the Four Points by Sheraton Auckland team and work with them to enhance what the property offers and the returns to our stakeholders – Owners, Marriott International, our Team and our Guests,” said Jai, “there is a lot of opportunity to elevate the property, particularly as the Auckland market continues expanding and welcoming more travellers to the destination”.  

Having opened in March 2018 as the first Marriott brand hotel in New Zealand, Four Points by Sheraton is located in the CBD of New Zealand's largest city in the vibrant Aotea Arts Quarter and offers exceptional service across 255 rooms and suites. 

***ENDS*** 

Media Contact 

Nicole Ballantyne, The MINT Partners 

nicoleb@themintpartners.com.au  

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,500 properties under 31 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program.  For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.