The Marriott Golden Circle Awards are presented annually to international journalists for excellence in reporting on innovative trends and developments in the global tourism industry. 

The judging committee lauded Mr Shellum and Ms Lui for their tireless advocacy of higher standards in the travel trade. The work of both these writers has significantly influenced the way the Asian travel industry is viewed globally by industry professionals and consumers. 

�Mr. Shellum and Ms. Lui are passionate and scrupulously honest ambassadors of the travel industry in this region,� said Kent Maury, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. �Through their work, they have advanced the world�s understanding of everything that is vibrant, unique and new about Asia. We are honoured to present them both with the Marriott Golden Circle Award for 2003.�

Hong Kong�s Prudence Lui Lai-kuen graduated from the School of Hospitality Management of Hong Kong Polytechnic University and joined the region's largest industry magazine, Asian Hotelier, where she was Deputy Editor.  She is now a correspondent and China editor for HOTEL Asia-Pacific and deputy head of the Hong Kong Bureau of Travel Trade Gazette Asia.

Steve Shellum began his career as a journalist in the UK in 1973 and moved to Hong Kong in 1984. Since then, he has been the editor of Business Traveller Asia Pacific, Asia Travel Trade, TravelNews Asia and Asian Hotelier. In January 2000, Steve established HOTEL Asia Pacific, followed by the Chinese-language HOTEL China in May 2001. He recently won a PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Gold Award for trade journalism.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,600 lodging properties in the United States and 68 other countries and territories.