Bethesda-based Marriott International, Inc. is a global leader in the hospitality industry, operating, franchising, and licensing hotel and other lodging properties worldwide. With a portfolio of 30 distinctive and iconic brands, including JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, and Sheraton, the company operates properties in 138 countries and territories. Marriott International operates through its U.S. and Canada and International segments and caters to a diverse range of travelers, from luxury-seeking jetsetters to budget-conscious vacationers. Marriott International, Inc., which was founded in 1927, continues to enhance its reputation as a global leader in the hospitality industry.