Diversity at Marriott a Critical Component for Long-term Growth and Success, Raising the Bar Each Year / March 2007

Hotel Online Special Report

Diversity at Marriott a Critical Component for Long-term
Growth and Success, Raising the Bar Each Year

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2007 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) announced today that for the fourth consecutive year it has ranked among the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" -- the highest in the lodging industry -- according to DiversityInc magazine. Marriott placed number four in the Top 10 Companies for People with Disabilities category. A total of 317 companies competed in the survey.

"Diversity is an important part of Marriott's fabric," said J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO, Marriott International. "We know that it is a critical component for our long-term growth and success, and our goal is to continue to raise the bar each year. The rankings also show that our culture is very important in our recruitment of diverse associates and their desire to stay part of our company over time."

In its seventh year, DiversityInc's "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" survey is the most in-depth, empirical analysis of corporate diversity management and planning. As in previous years, the 2007 ranking is based on more than 200 detailed questions analyzing CEO commitment, unbiased retention, supplier diversity and diversity training, and communications programs.

Earlier this year, Marriott announced historic benchmarks reached in its companywide diversity initiatives --

$400 million spent with women and minority-owned businesses;
400 hotels opened, or in the pipeline, owned or managed by minorities or women;
and an all-time high in diverse appointments to management positions.

"Marriott demonstrates a sustained commitment to best practices in diversity and inclusion," said Luke Visconti, partner and co-founder of DiversityInc. "As the top-ranking lodging company, Marriott represents a valuable example for other companies to emulate."

Marriott continues to be recognized for its diversity accomplishments. This year, Marriott was named one of the "Top 10 Companies for Executive Women," by the National Association for Female Executives; "Top 50 Corporations for Supplier Diversity" by Hispanic Trends magazine; and "Top 50 Places To Work" for African-American women by Essence magazine.

Additional diversity successes include:

Over 30 percent of new college hires were minority graduates recruited from 43 universities, including nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

RLJ Development, LLC, a wholly-owned, African-American hotel ownership company and an example of Marriott's Diversity Ownership Initiative, became one of the company's largest owners with the acquisition of 90 Marriott International-branded hotels.

Spending with Hispanic-owned companies reached more than $50 million.

Sed de Saber(TM) ("thirst for knowledge"), a portable electronic device to teach English to Spanish-speaking associates, was piloted in 10 U.S. cities and resulted in 85 percent improvement in English proficiency among participants. The tool is now available at hotels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

A $100,000 grant to the Hispanic Hotel Ownership Association to become a corporate founding partner and build relationships with Hispanic hotel owners and businesses.

A complete list of the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" and methodology can be found online at http://www.DiversityInc.com and in the June issue of DiversityInc magazine. For more information on Marriott's diversity initiatives, programs and commitment, visit http://www.marriott.com.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories.

Contact:

Marriott International, Inc.
http://www.marriott.com

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