The company said in a statement that the agreement represented "Marriott's commitment to global growth", with a third of its pipeline of hotels under development outside of the US. J.W. Marriott Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International said the move would offer a "wider range of development opportunities for hotel owners, as well as lodging options for our guests". "This is a brand that represents the ultimate in value for the customer," he said. "We are excited to sign this agreement with Pulso Hotelero, which also demonstrates our continued long-term commitment to Mexico as a travel destination." The 36 Fairfield Inn properties will operate under long-term franchise agreements, and are scheduled to open over the next ten years. The first two properties to open in 2011 will be a 120-room hotel in Cabo San Lucas and a 139-room hotel in Guadalajara, which will be Marriott's first hotels in those locations.