DUBAI, United Arab Emirates and BETHESDA, Md., May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced that from today Protea’s portfolio of hotels will be available for booking on the Marriott.com website, as well as through Marriott Global Reservations Offices. Marriott recently completed the approximately US$200 million acquisition of Protea Hotels and its sub-brands, African Pride Hotels and Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! in a move that secured its position as the largest hotel operator on the African continent. Today’s announcement marks the latest phase in the integration of Protea Hotels within the Marriott International portfolio of brands.

In the first quarter of 2014, Marriott.com accounted for more than 26 percent of Marriott International’s roomnight bookings worldwide, or one-third of the company’s transient business. In addition, 40 percent of Marriott.com traffic came from mobile devices.

Prior to the acquisition, Marriott International was already operating 10 hotels across the African continent, but Protea adds a further 116 properties bringing the total Middle East and African presence to 162 properties in 18 countries. Marriott International’s pioneering strategic move into Africa is set against a backdrop of burgeoning economic growth throughout the continent, with the World Bank expecting in excess of 5 percent growth in sub-Saharan Africa through 2015.

Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director of Marriott International Middle East and Africa commented on the announcement saying, ‘I am delighted that just a few weeks after the acquisition of Protea Hotels our valued guests have access to the portfolio of hotel options continent-wide and globally across our entire range of brands. Clearly this has been an unprecedented growth phase for our regional business but this is only given context and meaning when we can connect our guests with the experience. This is happening now and it heralds the start of a completely new chapter in the history of Marriott International.’

Marriott.com is ranked as one of the world’s largest consumer retail sites, and accounts for US$1.3 billion of revenue annually for bookings outside the United States of America. In addition to the www.marriott.com website, Marriott operates 10 language sites which includes Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,000 properties, and more than 690,000 rooms in 77 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $13 billion in fiscal year 2013. For more than 80 years, the company has been committed to guest satisfaction, and operates and franchises hotels under 17 brands, including Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Moxy (expected opening in 2014), Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Protea Hotels, and Marriott Executive Apartments, and licenses vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club brand. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards program, which together surpass 45 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.