Marriot International is set to become Canada’s largest full service hotel company with the impending purchase of the Delta Hotels and Resorts brand from British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (bcIMC).

Once the $168 million transaction is complete, Marriot will own the brand and assume management of  Delta’s 38 hotels across Canada. The move will increase Marriot’s portfolio north of the border to 120 hotels and 10,000 hotel rooms.

The deal is still under review, but expected to close in the second quarter of 2015. Upon approval, David Grissen, group president overseeing The Americas for Marriot International, sees exciting new travel opportunities for employees and customers of both brands.

“We expect integrating Delta into Marriott’s systems, sales engines, Marriott.com, and the more than 49 million member Marriott Rewards loyalty program will create meaningful operational synergies for owners and franchisees,” he said.

Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriot International, added that Marriot’s development expertise will complement the Delta brand and “accelerate growth of the brand in Canada and other markets around the world.”

Marriot is planning to enter into a 30-year management agreement with affiliates of bcIMC.