It has been a very difficult few days since a truck bomb detonated in front of our Islamabad Marriott hotel in Pakistan. Many lives were lost and many more were injured. As you may have heard by now, the entire security team on the ground at the entrance to the hotel was killed in the attack. These brave men were simply doing their jobs and gave their lives in an effort to protect the guests at their hotel, as well as their fellow associates. They will forever be remembered as heroes and I send my deepest condolences to their families and friends.
I would also like to thank you, the readers of my blog, for your outpouring of support and condolence. I truly appreciate each and every comment I've received, and I've read them all. Many of you have asked how you can help those affected by the attack and help their families. We have established the Islamabad Marriott Assistance Fund. Marriott International and the Marriott Family Foundation are kicking it off by together donating $100,000. Your generosity is greatly appreciated during these very difficult times.
Many of your comments mirror my view that Marriott's footprint around the world, in almost 70 countries, facilitates global diplomacy. Gary Jusela put it very well when he left the comment, "Let's all work together to continue to build human understanding and shared support for one another . . . We must maintain our collective resolve. Thank you for being in Pakistan and all of your other locations throughout the world." Roger Denk also echoed the same sentiment, saying the worst thing we could do would be to stop traveling.
I couldn't agree more. While many of us will grieve over this incident for a long time, we must also realize that it is extremely important to move on. Our hotels serve as homes to travelers from many different cultures where all of our guests can do business and peacefully co-exist. We are truly a crossroads for communication. By traveling the world, we all learn that we have more in common than we have differences.
We opened our first hotel outside the United States in Mexico almost 40 years ago and our first hotel in Eastern Europe before the fall of the Berlin Wall. We have a growing portfolio in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, and we are determined to keep growing, providing opportunities to our associates and promoting understanding among the people of the world.
Again, I want to thank everyone for their support during this very difficult time. Our Marriott family is strong and it is clear to me that we have all come together to help our brothers and sisters in Pakistan in their time of need, and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Marriott Remains Committed to Global Travel After Hotel Bombing
Dear Bill, I was sleeping in the Islamabad Marriott during the blast but was lucky to escape out with minor injuries. I am still traumatised by the whole incident but the most is the lost of your associates which was my close friends. I have been visiting Islamabad since 2004 and have known them since. It is a loss but I would also extend my condolences to the families of other guest who was staying there at that moment who didn't make it.
Posted by: Asoka Tennakoon | 10/12/2008 at 02:21 AM
To me Marriott has always been home, and the Marriott family like cousins I never met. Marriott first came to be in my home town in Maryland. As Marriott grew global it didnt much change: always a familiar place of welcome and grace. I grieve that this ugly crime has struck you once again.
I join you in grieving good people who were there that day: Associates, serving guests with dignity and courtesy; travellers diplomats and citizens of Islamabad together enjoying the moment that came before the blast.
Your brothers and sisters pray for you all.
Posted by: Jean Rinaldo | 10/02/2008 at 08:05 AM
This was such a tragedy. My heart goes out to all of those who felt this awful injustice. I have no doubt that the Marriott company will work through this hard time. Best of luck for the future.
Posted by: Solinkable | 09/30/2008 at 01:27 PM
Mr Marriott, Like everyone else, I was shocked at the violence perpetrated against the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, a beacon of American capitalism and hope. Though I never had the pleasure of staying at that hotel, I've enjoyed the charms of Marriott's in Korea, Japan, England, Wales, Germany, and Austria. Do not be deterred! Giving in to the cowards who would bomb innocent people is to abandon the fight against terrorism that we most certainly must win. I grieve for the men and women who lost their lives in the despicable attack against the hotel. I'll be making a contribution to the Assistance Fund, and hope that all loyal Marriott customers will do the same. I just feel so, so awful for the wonderful Marriott employees and guests who were murdered or injured.
Posted by: Bill Arnold | 09/29/2008 at 02:58 PM
I was in deeply chocked for this senseless tragedy. I was like to appause to those brave workers, and I will prayer for them and their families.
Posted by: Jason Wang | 09/28/2008 at 10:35 PM
Hello Bill,
Sorry to hear about the tragedy that devastated so many innocent lives in Pakistan. Just want to pass on a link to an article written by an Indian journalist who have stayed at the hotel since 1980's.
Here is the link: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=95f8057f-adea-4c03-836d-5c865184f78c&&Headline=Memories+of+the+Marriott
Posted by: Milind | 09/27/2008 at 07:25 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott,
My deepest condolences to you, the Marriott Family in Pakistan and to all the brave workers and their families who were doing their best to fight the fire and save the hotel. I was deeply saddened by the news and especially having witnessed such a situation in Jordan myself, a couple of years back, when we had our share of sadness through the bombing of three five star hotels simultaneously. Hotel guests and brave men and women on duty were lost. There are never appropriate words to reflect just how pained the families of the deceased are. My condolences again. But I have one word that I want to say to the entire global community, to every single hotel employee world wide and to the Marriott Family. DON'T QUITE YOUR JOBS OR STANDING POINT. Quitting will make us as hospitality employees lose the battle. I will state a story with you Mr. Marriott. A couple of months back I was doing some legal papers required in a recruitment process at a nearby court house and I, by coincidence, ran into some lawyers. Before we know it I was engaged into some friendly conversation but what appalled me was a comment by one lawyer who proved to be a clown. When I told him I was about to be employed in a five star hotel he asked, Aren't you afraid? They might blow you guys up again, aren't you afraid? I answered with a firm tone of voice, I will continue to work in the hotel field and welcome my country's guests whether our enemies like it or not. I remember the whole lot around me putting their faces to the ground after my answer. I grabbed my papers and walked out of the court house proud as ever with my blood boiling to finish my recruitment at that hotel. Marriott Pakistan don't quite and have the enemies of piece triumph. Stand in their mighty or the blood of all your hospitality brethren and guests would have gone in vain. Mr. Marriott the decision is all up to you of course but if you want my reflection on this I want to see the Marriott name again shining on a new gleaming premises in Islamabad and with the help of our Lord I hope to see business flourishing as usual.
Posted by: Feras Werr | 09/27/2008 at 03:31 AM
My deepest condolences all those who have lost their love ones in this terrible attack, and I hope this shall never happen again, no more.
Posted by: Herbert Law | 09/27/2008 at 03:23 AM
I think it is time for Marriott to be realistic & temporarily close hotels in areas where it is no longer safe to operate. I hope the day will come soon when this will no longer be an issue.
Posted by: Fran Garside | 09/26/2008 at 03:14 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about this tragedy. Condolences to the families of those who were killed on injured because of this ignorant act of senseless violence in Pakistan.
Posted by: Brian Krassenstein | 09/26/2008 at 05:54 AM
I was born in 1935 in London, UK and lived through Hitler's bombing in the 1939-45 war. I well remember the bombing of London during that period and the restrictions that resulted from this. I also remember to terrible pictures that appeared in the press of scenes of the liberation of the German concentration camps and remember to many US servicemen that came to England to help us win the war and their unstinting generosity. We have much to be thankful to the USA for. My family are pleased that we had the foresight to have bought into the Marriott world. Long may Marriott live on. Colin Hall, a Marriott customer.
Posted by: Colin L. Hall | 09/25/2008 at 12:00 AM
Thank you so much for your kind worlds and thoughts. Having lived in Pakistan for the past 6 years I have fond memories of the hotel. I just wish that after so many bombs at various Marriott locations worldwide over the years, that you now can take action to further improve the security in order to prevent this from happening again and losing more lives.
Posted by: Janet Chambers | 09/24/2008 at 05:36 PM
So sorry to hear about the horrible tragedy in Pakistan, but it is so heartwarming to see how forthcoming and honest your company has been with the public about it.
My condolences to the families involved.
Posted by: Tracey Smith | 09/24/2008 at 03:11 PM
My deepest condolences to the Marriott family and the families of those who have lost their love ones in the horrible tragedy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Theresa Thomas-Marino | 09/24/2008 at 02:12 PM
Thank you for your support Bill. I now live in the states but regularly visit Pakistan and grew up visiting the Islamabad Marriott. For those of us from Islamabad, it truly was an institution where families would gather to meet, celebrate, eat an evening meal to the sound of traditional live Pakistani music. It was where we would go for a special desert or to celebrate Pakistan's famed mango season through the mango festival the hotel would hold. Members of my family were married in its banquet halls. The doorman, who had been there as long as I can remember was always smiling and so kind and helpful-- he personified the elegance and specialness of the place. He stood at the front of the building, very close to the security barrier so I am scared that he lost his life in the attack-- thank you for helping the families of the wonderful and brave people who kept it running through multiple attacks and gave their lives that day.
Posted by: Sanaa Rahman | 09/24/2008 at 07:09 AM
Mr Marriott:
Your fine corporation is an example of all that is right in this world of unfathomable violence and international terrorism. The events of the past week and your response to them show me that Marriott will not be deterred in its quest to remain an outpost of quality and service around the world, where the Spirit to Serve lives on in every international and domestic Marriott hotel.
I grieve for those whose lives were lost, as do we all, but know that Marriott will surmount challenges like these without sacrificing its core values.
I am even more proud to be a Marriott Rewards member and loyal customer.
Posted by: Roger Denk | 09/24/2008 at 06:53 AM
Deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of those whose lives were taken by this senseless act of murder.
We certainly have established ourselves as the most violent creatures on the planet though I wish it were otherwise. My initial reaction was, why is Marriott in such a violent and lawless area? Then after reading your blog Mr. Marriott and thinking about it, I agree that isolationism is not the way to understanding and peace but the way to armed global camps. Best of Luck with the recovery of the hotel and the employees there. Humanity is a messy business and sometimes as in this case, extremely tragic. The comfort and hospitality provided by Marriott remains an oasis for all of us travelers across the globe.
Posted by: John B. | 09/24/2008 at 05:36 AM
Thank you for expressing your compassion for the families who have gone through this tragedy. At a time when so many global citizens are disappointed in our government, your true American spirit shines through. In these troubled times, the Marriott response, ranging from your personal note to the corporation-at-large, makes me proud of my country and democracy. Wish I could say the same about the financial industry giants who have let greed overtake our country's core values, but I can't. Thank you for your outstanding leadership, Mr. Marriott.
Posted by: Polly in St. Louiss | 09/24/2008 at 04:10 AM