Marriott's 'Spirit to Preserve' wins high honors from WTTC

Based on locations in over 40 countries and 6 continents, Marriott International has been selected as the winner of the prestigious and highly competitive “2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Award for Sustainability” in the Global Tourism Business category by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

The popular hotel and lodging company has won the internationally-recognized award for its achievements in demonstrating sustainable tourism practices, including the protection of natural and cultural heritage, social and economic benefits to local people and environmentally-friendly operations.

Accepting the award for Marriott at WTTC’s Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Florianopolis, Brazil, Marriott President and co-chair of the company’s Executive Green Council, Ed Fuller, said: “Now, more than ever, sustainability and environmental stewardship are good for the planet, good for business and are vital to the future of travel and tourism.”

WTTC judges visited Marriott’s global headquarters in Bethesda, Md., where they met with the company’s Executive Green Council and toured the facility, which should receive LEED(R)-(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Existing Building status by December. They also toured several hotels to observe their environmentally-friendly operations, including the The Inn and Conference Center by Marriott at the University of Maryland in College Park, which is LEED(R)-certified; the JW Marriott Hotel Washington, DC and the Washington Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, D.C.; the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown; and the Miami Airport Marriott, Eden Roc, a Renaissance Beach Resort & Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, and The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, all in Miami, Fla.

“We have reached a global tipping point in the travel industry, as more businesses and countries realize that sustainable tourism is not only about protecting the environment and safeguarding cultural diversity, but that it is also an important economic opportunity,” said Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges, WTTC.

Marriott’s “Spirit to Preserve” brings industry experience to the world

When guests book a room on Marriott.com, they can help protect 1.4 million acres of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, joining Marriott in its $2 million commitment. Guests can offset the carbon generated during their stay for as little as US$10. Recently, about six members of Marriott’s sales team visited this rainforest reserve after helping raise more than $400,000 through Marriott’s Spirit To Preserve(TM) group meetings promotion.

The hotel company is also expanding its portfolio of green hotels, with over 30 hotels expected to achieve LEED(R) certification and at least a dozen set to open in 2009 and 2010.

For three consecutive years, Marriott has received the Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has awarded its ENERGY STAR(R) label to approximately 275 Marriott-branded hotels, the most of any hotel company.

Marriott is greening its $10 billion supply chain, replacing its plastic key cards, towels, pens, toilet paper, pillows, and paint with more environmentally-friendly options.

Marriott has been recognized for its environmental leadership in the hotel industry by several groups, including Ceres, an alliance of investors and environmentalists, the non-profit organization ClimateCounts.org, and Travel + Leisure magazine.

For more information on Marriott’s eco-friendly initiatives, visit www.marriott.com/spirittopreserve and follow Marriott Green on Twitter. Also, join the conversation about traveling green by becoming a fan of Travel Green on Facebook.