BETHESDA, Md., April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. announced today that the company ranked number 11 among the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity," by DiversityInc magazine. For the fourth consecutive year, Marriott was the highest ranked company in the lodging industry, according to the magazine. More than 350 companies participated in the survey, which included more than 200 questions.

"At Marriott, our inclusive culture gives our company its strength and competitive edge," said Jimmie Paschall, senior vice president for external affairs and global diversity officer for Marriott International. "With operations all over the world, we serve very diverse markets. We understand and value of diversity at every level ... from our senior leadership team to our on-property employees."

In its eighth 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 2008 ranking is based on detailed questions which measure: CEO Commitment, Human Capital, Corporate and Organizational Communications, and Supplier Diversity.

Marriott reached historic milestones in its companywide diversity initiatives over the past year, including: spending a record $478 million (13.6 percent) with women and minority-owned businesses; establishing a new goal of spending 15 percent with minority-, women- and gay- and lesbian-owned U.S. suppliers by 2009; and beginning outreach to diverse suppliers internationally, including efforts in Brazil and the U.K. Last year, Marriott expanded the company's language program called Sed de Saber(TM) (Thirst for Knowledge) Spanish/English Language system, which teaches workplace and life-skills in English. The program continues to show a significant increase in English language proficiency. The company continues to achieve strong diverse appointments in senior leadership roles.

Marriott continues to be recognized for its diversity accomplishments. So far this year, Marriott was named one of the "Top 10 Companies for Executive Women" by the National Association for Female Executives, and one of "The 50 Best Companies for Supplier Diversity" by Hispanic Enterprise magazine.

Details on the Top 50, including in-depth profiles of the winning companies, interviews with their CEOs and their best practices, will be found in the June issue of DiversityInc magazine. For more information on Marriott's diversity initiatives, programs and commitment, visit http://www.marriott.com/diversity.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. is a leading lodging company with about 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE(R), and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at http://www.marriott.com/.

CONTACT: Beth McGlasson of Marriott International, Inc.,
+1-301-380-7431, Elizabeth.mcglasson@marriott.com

Web site: http://www.marriott.com/
http://www.marriott.com/diversity