Boston Strong

REFLECTIONS, RELIEF, RESPECT Boston’s most horrible and difficult week is finally over. Like most of you, I was following the events closely. I am deeply grateful to law enforcement and our Marriott security teams for keeping thousands of guests safe. Hotels become safe havens in times of crisis. Marathon runnners...

A Big Day for U.S. Tourism

"The more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work.” -- President Obama, January 19, 2012 Listen to Blog This year 1 billion people are expected to travel outside their own countries to see and experience the world. And for every 35 of those international visitors,...

Making the Tough Call

Listen to blog I bought President Bush’s autobiography, Decision Points, a while ago and during some quiet time over the Fourth of July weekend had an opportunity to read it. It was obvious that President Bush wrote the book himself. It included many wonderful, personal stories about him, his courtship...

Opening America's Arms to Global Travelers

It’s been a busy few months in the realm of travel and tourism policy, so I wanted the chance to bring you up to speed on what’s going on, and I hope it will lead to measurable change in the way the United States welcomes overseas visitors. I’ve blogged about...

Encouraging the Expansion of the Visa Waiver Program

I’ve blogged before about how beneficial the Visa Waiver Program is to the United States travel and tourism industry. But, it also helps a lot of other industries in our country, including all the restaurants and retail that rely so much on international travelers. The Visa Waiver Program allows low-risk...

Talking Travel with the Governor of Puerto Rico

I was recently in Puerto Rico and had the opportunity to meet with the governor, Luis Fortuño. He really understands the immense value the travel and tourism industry brings to his country. Back in the 1990s, Governor Fortuño served as the first Secretary of Puerto Rico’s Department of Economic Development...

A Warmer Welcome Means More Jobs

President Obama has just returned from Asia, where he had an extensive visit promoting U.S. exports. But here at home we’re doing all we can to increase exports and create more jobs because each time a visitor from abroad buys a hotel room in the United States, that counts as...

Partnering with the U.S. Government: Secretary Napolitano Visits Marriott

We recently had the privilege of hosting U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, at our headquarters to talk about issues our industry and her agency have in common. Our associates, including the chefs in our Marriott test kitchen, were thrilled to meet the Secretary. First, we talked about immigration...

Saluting Marriott's Heroes in Bangkok

We’re in the hospitality business and nothing gives us more pleasure than welcoming our guests for life’s most memorable moments, an important business negotiation, or simply a good night’s sleep. Sometimes, situations outside our control create inhospitable conditions, like the tragic events that recently unfolded in Bangkok. That’s when our...

Ni-Hao from China

Ni-Hao. I’m blogging from the USA Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China. This is an absolutely phenomenal development. The Chinese and the participating countries have spent over $58 billion to stage this mega-event. It is, without doubt, the finest thing I’ve ever seen in terms of expos...