| WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2000 - Marriott International,
Inc. (NYSE: MAR) said today that, for the second year in a row, the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has
ranked Marriott first among the eleven hospitality companies on the civil
rights organization�s annual report on the lodging industry.
In a press conference held this morning at NAACP headquarters in Baltimore,
NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said that Marriott had earned a grade of �B�
(3.0 out of 4.0) for its continued industry leadership in several diversity-related
areas, including board membership, supplier diversity, franchising and
the hiring, retention and promotion of minorities. Since 1997, when
the NAACP began issuing the annual hospitality industry report card, no
other company has topped the list more than once.
Citing reasons for Marriott�s lead ranking in this year�s survey, Mr.
Mfume said: �While there is still a great deal of work to be done in the
lodging industry, Marriott has already laid out a plan for success in this
area, one that reflects its recognition of the value of the African-American
consumer in this business. If I�ve got a choice among hotels in cities
where I have to visit, I�m going to stay at Marriott.�
J.W. Marriott, Jr., Marriott International chairman and chief executive
officer, said, �Here in the United States, and in all of our properties
worldwide, we at Marriott see diversity as not only the right policy, but
also as a source of our competitive edge. Diversity makes us a stronger
company.� |
NAACP Lodging Industry
Report Card
|
Company
|
Score
|
Grade
|
| Marriott a |
3.00 |
B** |
| Cendant b |
2.94 |
B-* |
| Hyatt |
2.66 |
C+* |
| Hilton c |
2.64 |
C+** |
| Best Western |
2.27 |
C* |
| Bass/Holiday Inn d |
2.04 |
C |
| Choice e |
2.00 |
C** |
| Starwood f |
1.85 |
C- |
| Radisson |
1.65 |
D+ |
| Omni |
1.64 |
D+ |
| Wyndham g |
1.38 |
D |
*Pledge Curve Applied
** Properties Curve Applied
a Includes Marriott, Court Yards,
Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, Renaissance Hotel & Resorts, Ritz Carlton
b Includes Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights
Inn, Super 8 Motel, Travel Lodge, Villager Lodge, Wingate Inn.
c Includes Hilton Inns, Hilton Suites,
Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Garden Inns, Conrad International and all
former Promus Hotels (Doubletree, Guest Suites, Embassy Suites, Hampton
Inn,
Homewood Suites)
d Includes Crowne Plaza, Inter-Continental,
Stay Bridge Suites
e Includes Clarion Inns, Comfort Hotels,
EconoLodge, MainStay Suites
f Includes Westin, Sheraton, Four
Points, Luxury Collection, Ceasar�s World
g Includes Wyndham Resorts & Garden,
Summerfield Suites
Source: http://www.naacp.org/
|
|
The Marriott International franchise network included, as of March
2000, 114 minority-owned franchised properties, of which 10 are African-American-owned.
In 1995, Marriott created the Minority Franchise Outreach Program, partnering
with organizations such as the National Association of Black Accountants
and the International Franchise Association to proactively seek and identify
additional franchise candidates. The number of minority- and women-owned
franchises in the Marriott network has more than doubled over the past
four years.
In 1998, Marriott broadened its supplier diversity initiative, committing
that at least $250 million be spent with minority suppliers by year-end
2001. The company initiated a second-tier supplier diversity program,
through which Marriott�s major suppliers are asked to spend at least five
percent with minority vendors, in 1999. In addition, Marriott continues
to partner with a variety of minority business organizations, including
the National Minority Supplier Development Council and local minority chambers
of commerce nationwide.
 With
a 59 percent minority workforce, Marriott International�s management is
24 percent minority, as is 11.2 percent of the company�s senior management.
Marriott International is cited frequently as being one of the best companies
for minorities to work for in America by such magazines as Fortune, Latina
Style, and Hispanic Business.
Marriott International, Inc. is a leading worldwide hospitality company
with over 2,000 operating units in the United States and 58 other countries
and territories. |
