Marriott chair and CEO J W Marriott Jr said: “Creating a smoke-free environment demonstrates a new level of service and care for our guests and associates. Our brands are united on this important health issue and we anticipate very positive customer feedback.”

The new policy will include all guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms, public spaces and employee work areas.

Currently more than 90 per cent of Marriott guest rooms are non-smoking and smoking is already prohibited in many public spaces owing to local laws.

Marriott International operates more than 2,300 hotels and corporate apartments and nearly 400,000 guest rooms under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, TownePlace Suites and Marriott ExecuStay brands.

In addition, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NACCP) has ranked the hospitality operator top in its annual lodging industry card, which focuses on the racially diverse economic activities of companies in the US. Of the new managers hired in 2005, 26 per cent comprised an ethnic minority. Details: www.marriott.com

Close Window