Courtyard by Marriott, Kochi Airport Celebrates the 'Joy of Giving Week'

KOCHI, INDIA--(Marketwire - Oct 25, 2012) - The afternoon of 7^th October was a special affair of celebrations of the festival of giving- joy of giving week. The new luxury hotel in Nedumbassery, Courtyard by Marriott, Kochi Airport, that is scheduled to open in December 2012, partnered with Emanuel Orphanage to celebrate the Joy of Giving Week.

The hotel associates surprised the children residing at Emanuel Orphanage when they reached the home with unexpected gifts and toys, and also decorated the space with balloons, ribbons and other decorations. The Kochi 4 star hotel team, along with the children, conducted various interactive activities and played fun games with them, while a few members of the team arranged a special treat with cakes, sandwiches and soft drinks. The children were overwhelmed with the team's gesture and beamed with happiness all along.

The Joy of Giving Week -- a 'festival of giving,' is a national movement, supported by this Kochi, India hotel, which seeks to galvanize the giving spirit of all those who have always wanted to help the underprivileged. Marriott International as a company has always worked towards supporting the community and lending a hand in making our surroundings a better place to live. Such initiatives are at the core of many Marriott activities and have been given a special name of- 'Sprit to Serve the Community.'

Mr. Prakash Jayadevan, Hotel Manager Courtyard by Marriott, Kochi Airport, one of the premier Smart City hotels, stated, "Marriott as a company has always worked with the philosophy of Spirit to Serve our Associates, customers and Community; this event has given us a chance to understand the small requirements of children hailing from underprivileged sections of the society; creating an opportunity to extend our support in creating a brighter future for them."

About Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR): Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.