We're all aware that there was a terrible earthquake in China on the 12th of May. My heart goes out to the victims and the families. But I'm so proud of how our hotels responded. True to our Spirit To Serve, our associates, owners and franchisees rushed to action to help the community and their peers affected by the quake.
Forty-eight Marriott associates were directly affected. They either lost their homes or they were damaged, or their family members were injured. They have been given paid leave days, transportation to temporary shelters and medical subsidies for those who had been injured. Many of our hotels and regional offices have also held in-house associate donation programs, blood drives and food and beverage donations.
One of our hotels that was set to open has decided to forego a large grand opening party and has donated the money that would've gone toward the party to the relief effort. Our Sanya Marriott Resort has hosted 18 orphans who were staying in their hotel and were stranded after the quake. All together, our Marriott associates and owners have raised over $3 million to aid those who have been affected.
At Marriott, we have a long-standing tradition of giving back to the community and helping those in need and the work our associates and owners have done is a great example of our company's Spirit To Serve. I'm so proud of all of them and everything they've done to help their community.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Marriott Hotels in China Provide Earthquake Relief
I have know Marriott hotels since 2002 when they started their operations in Mumbai India.
To be honest with you there is nothing new with corporates helping in social and relief causes. This shows their good citizenship.
Also for a corporate the size of Marriott it is not a big issue to raise funds of 3 million $. But then what really matters is the spirit in which the act was performed.
Most corporates would boast about their contribution to such events and the main purpose of such act would shift from actual good citizenship to propaganda of the brand.
But in the case of Marriott is has always been in the right spirit. i have seen Marriott react to events like Marriott Jakarta Bombing 2003 and now the Earth quake in china. In each of these instances Marriott has proved that unlike other boastful corporates the spirit of good citizenship is highest and true to the core here.
No wonder Marriott is the leader in the world in its business because its core values of true to the heart. Congratulations Bill on heading such a wonderful organization.
Posted by: krishna | 06/18/2008 at 12:07 AM
I love Marriott! Thank you!
Posted by: Talizi | 06/13/2008 at 12:16 PM