International hotel chain Marriott is making a big push for IT-oriented services aiming to increase customer convenience and renew its brand image in the digital era.

The company recently launched a new mobile app, Meetings Imagined, which allows event planners around the world to better communicate and inspire one another.

The app, with a sister website, aims to mimic the successes of popular services like Instagram and Pinterest as it offers latest meeting trends and hundreds of inspirational images for meetings to spark creativity.

“About 140,000 people have already signed up for the app,” Ramesh Daryanani, vice president of global sales in the Asia-Pacific, said of the positive early reaction. He visited Seoul last week to celebrate the app launch.

Daryanani expects $2 million in revenue from the app-related businesses, and hinted at launching its Korean version soon.

Marriott has been a leading player in the hotel industry in introducing technological innovation into its hospitality services.

The company was one of the first hotel chains to start virtual concierge services that allow guests to order meals and other room services online. It is preparing for the mobile services.

Mobile check-in and check-out is also rapidly expanding within the industry and Marriott plans to soon adopt the service to meet the growing needs of tech-savvy customers.

“To me, the main testament is how much of business these technologies drive for the company,” the vice president said.

According to him, the company garners over $1 billion in revenue through its website alone and is the only hotel chain among the top 10 highest-earning websites globally.

He also showed high expectations about Korea where Marriott is expanding its presence, opening up a new hotel.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)