Marriott signs 4 Mexico deals, adding 29 hotels

LOS ANGELES, July 16 (Reuters) - Hotel operator Marriott International Inc (MAR.N) said on Wednesday it signed four agreements that it expects will nearly triple its presence in Mexico over the next five years.

The deal would add 29 branded Marriott hotels in Mexico for a total investment of more than $1 billion by the owners of the properties, the company said in a statement.

There are currently 16 hotels and resorts in Mexico operating under Marriott brands such as Courtyard, Residence Inn and JW Marriott.

The Mexico deals are part of 130,000 new rooms the company expects to add by the year 2010. More than one-quarter of the total will be located outside the United States, the company said. (Reporting by Deena Beasley; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)