The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc., recently announced the appointment of Chinese ballet star Tan Yuanyuan as the brand's newest Global Explorer. The Luxury Collection's Global Explorer program brings together influential voices from the world's most discerning tastemakers, celebrating the vibrancy of destinations through the eyes of leading cultural voices. Hand-picked for her sense of adventure, Tan has spent years traveling the world as a multi-award-winning principal dancer with the prestigious San Francisco Ballet Company. Tan will be sharing her own insights and stories, inspiring Chinese travelers to discover and explore hidden gems with The Luxury Collection in the most extraordinary international destinations.

Tan, a native of Shanghai, started performing at a very young age and it was not long before the talented and eager Tan earned the coveted position as San Francisco Ballet's principle dancer. As a world-renowned ballerina, her accolades include being named 'Asia's Hero' by Time (Asian edition) in 2004. From her first stage appearance in a competition in Helsinki, Finland, to her trips to Nagoya, Paris, Stuttgart, and San Francisco where she now calls home, Tan has left her distinctive "ballet footprints" across key destinations around the globe. With an artistic career that has become inseparable from the world of travel, Tan's excellence in her craft has given her the opportunity to combine her love of ballet with exploring new destinations and experiencing different cultures.

Source: MarriottSource: Marriott
Source: Marriott

"China will always be my home but I live and work in San Francisco, and I have performed in many cities across the world. Over many years of travel, I have learned to treasure certain things: a familiar and comfortable place to relax and unwind after a performance, a trusted insider's knowledge of a destination, a rare and personal welcome that only those who know true hospitality can provide," said Tan. "For me, The Luxury Collection is where I have always found those things. I feel honored to be a Global Explorer, and I look forward to sharing my stories and inspirations with other world travelers."

As a Global Explorer, Tan traveled to Hangzhou to unlock her passions captured in a travelogue of her experiences for the brand, allowing guests to be inspired by her sublime grace and artistry with the timeless beauty and enchantment of the destination. The Luxury Collection in China will launch a destination discovery staycation inspired by Tan's global adventure, offering travelers a curated program that features authentic destination and culinary experiences. Through her role as Global Explorer for The Luxury Collection, Tan will visit Meixi Lake Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Changsha in November to meet with influencers to exchange tales and tips from her years of travel.

For more information about Tan Yuanyuan as well as The Luxury Collection, please visit http://www.theluxurycollection-apac.com

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,100 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 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, and for the latest company news, visit Marriott News Center. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.