Let's Rise: Westin Hotels & Resorts Reveals A Powerful Rally-Cry For Travelers To Regain Control Of Their Well-Being While On The Road

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), today unveiled its first global brand campaign in more than five years, taking on the disruptions, distractions and unpredictability of travel and empowering travelers to embrace well-being as a way to regain control of their routines and be their best while on the road. The $30 million dollar, integrated advertising campaign – called Let's Rise – communicates Westin's commitment to its guests' well-being before, during and after their stay. Beginning today, the Let's Rise campaign will be featured in broadcast, digital, radio and out-of-home channels, with print placements to follow later this year. The Let's Rise mantra will also serve as an anchor for the wellness programs and partnerships that roll out for guests and associates throughout the year. 

Westin's Let's Rise campaign is inspired by and illustrative of the wellness and travel trends fueling the future of both industries, as articulated in a new global study conducted in partnership with StudyLogic that surveyed travelers in North America, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and China. The results show a seismic shift in the way today's travelers prioritize their well-being. With less time and more disruptors on the road, they are reinventing business and leisure travel to put things like fitness first with new vigor to pursue mindfulness and adventure.

"Let's Rise is perfectly positioned to connect with travelers as more of a rally-cry than a brand campaign, given today's over-scheduled and always-on culture," said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts. "Around the world, we are seeing travelers realigning their priorities to put their well-being first, and Westin is proud to empower our guests to rise to the occasion and be their best selves on the road."

Brand Campaign Challenges Travelers:
"Will You Get Up, or Will You Rise?"

Westin worked with San Francisco-based Venables Bell & Partners to develop the multi-faceted campaign, consisting of multiple executions in which travelers take control of their well-being.  Illustrating guests enabled to wake up early for a run, stay on track with healthy eating goals, and find time to revitalize with an incredible night's sleep, the campaign aims to connect consumers to the signature programs inherent in Westin's DNA – from the iconic Westin Heavenly Bed to its workout Gear Lending program in partnership with New Balance® – all designed to embody the brand's Six Pillars of Well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. 

Because morning is the first and best opportunity to take control of the day ahead, the campaign uses morning light as a consistent creative device to speak to the potential that the morning holds. Overall, the campaign calls consumers to answer a simple question, "Will you get up, or will you rise?"

Global Study Shows Seismic Shift in Travelers' Well-being:

1. Unpredictability of Travel Sees Stress Skyrocket in 2017:
Guests around the Globe Turn to Wellness to Regain Control

In the last three years, rising wealth and digital connectivity have prompted a significant spike in global travel and the unpredictability that accompanies it.  It is no surprise then that nearly 3 in 4 travelers report they have trouble maintaining their routine on the road. More than 60% say they sleep less, 65% say they exercise less, and 15% report increased stress levels on vacation, a time traditionally thought of as downtime for rest and relaxation.

Also surprising is the growing number of guests around the globe who are turning to wellness to regain control of their routines when traveling for business and leisure. Thirty percent of those surveyed in Germany and more than 20% in U.A.E. say well-being enables them to feel more in control, while nearly 15% globally say it reduces their stress levels.  Almost one in four of those surveyed in Germany and North America say wellness allows them to be better in business; in Mexico and the U.K., 1 in 4 say wellness enables them to feel happier.

"Around the world, we have definitely seen a shift in the way today's travelers are incorporating well-being into their work and travel routines: from millennials, who view fitness activities to be more social than competitive, to business travelers who are shifting their preference from country clubs to running clubs," continued Povinelli. "We have even seen honeymooners embrace well-being more holistically; in the United States alone, 80% of couples reported being more active and health-conscious during their honeymoon than at home. And, 40% are running together as a way to decompress, disconnect and be a tourist at the same time."

Westin continues to evolve its programs in lockstep with the increasing global demand for well-being and the holistic role it plays in peoples' lives.

• This year, hotels around the world will unveil updates to the signature 24/7 WestinWORKOUT^® fitness studios, reflecting how people are exercising today with more stretching, strength and core equipment.
  
  
• The brand will continue to grow its Gear Lending partnership with New Balance, giving guests access to workout gear without the hassle of packing it, and introduce additional RunWESTIN™ Concierges, who encourage runners of all levels to grab a running map and join them on scenic routes through cities, along beachfronts and amid rural landscapes.
  
  
• Known as the premier brand truly committed to helping guests get a good night's sleep, Westin will introduce a complimentary Sleep Well Lavender Balm bedside amenity, infused with the calming essential oils of lavender and chamomile. This is the latest in a series of sleep offerings that promise a better slumber for travelers, including the iconic Westin Heavenly® Bed.
  
  
• This follows of the heels of a refresh to the signature White Tea Aloe Bath & Body products, which have been reformulated and redesigned to be paba-free, paraben-free, and dye-free - leaving guests rejuvenated, revitalized and ready to take on the day ahead. The shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion feature natural ingredients, including aloe, pea extract, shea butter, tea extract and jojoba oil.

2. High Octane or Balanced Breathing:
Mindfulness & Adventure Travel Meet as the Next "Tribe Workout"

Once reserved for a select few, mindfulness and adventure travel have become increasingly popular as a way for guests to disconnect, reconnect and explore a destination. Globally, the number of travelers who will plan adventure excursions in the next 12 months has doubled in the last 3 years. In Mexico, it has tripled. And surprisingly, more than 50% of global respondents say they plan to seek mindfulness opportunities to clear their minds and center themselves during the chaos of travel.

Propelled by these trends, Westin continues to introduce programs, partnerships and hotel positions that cater to this growing guest demand.  

• Recently the brand saw a new crop of concierges emerge, who are experts in high-octane activities from heli-skiing to kite-surfing at hotels from The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa in Mauritius to The Westin Resort & Spa in Whistler, B.C.
  
  
• Surprisingly, many Westin hotels have also seen a spike in travelers fusing meditation with more physical activities and approaching mindfulness with a similar communal or tribe workout mentality. Yoga and meditation have been incorporated into high-intensity hikes and cycling classes by popular demand at Westin hotels in cities like Atlanta and resort destinations like Bear Mountain.
  
  
• Striking a chord with another emerging trend, last month the brand rolled out a variety of adult coloring sheets exclusively available at 50 Westin hotels and resorts across Asia Pacific. Created by celebrated illustrator Johanna Basford, who spearheaded the worldwide adult-coloring phenomenon with the debut of her 2013 bestselling book Secret Garden, the drawings are designed to helping travelers relax, re-center and unwind on the road.

Let's Rise Anchors Westin in 2017,
as the Well-being Brand Continues to Accelerate Market Leadership

Westin's Let's Rise campaign reinforces how the brand is uniquely positioned to cater to the ever-evolving demand for well-being on the road all around the world.  Scheduled to open 50 hotels in the next 5 years, Westin will debut in emerging destinations as diverse as Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, on the heels of growth in established markets including Hamburg, Dubai and Denver. 

"Looking ahead, we're also seeing increased intention to explore smaller cities," Povinelli continued. "This aligns closely with Westin's robust pipeline particularly in the Americas, with openings in Milwaukee, Chicago, Sarasota and Cozumel on the horizon."

For more information about the Westin brand's Let's Rise platform, please visit: www.westin.com/letsrise and follow along on social media with #LetsRise.  

Study Methodology
This study is based on a survey conducted by STUDYLOGIC LLC via telephone of approximately 8,000 respondents ages 25-64 with household incomes of $75,000 or above from 6 different areas: North America (the United States and Canada), Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and China.  This summary report is based on the responses of all 7,968 respondents.  Summary charts showing the breakdown of gender, age, and income, broken down by geographic area, are included at the end of this report.  The survey consisted of thirty-two questions including identifiers and sub-questions. Interviews were conducted between October 1^st and October 15^th, 2016. The survey averaged 30 minutes in length and contains a margin of error of +/-3%.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, a leader in wellness and hospitality for more than a decade, empowers guests and associates to embrace well-being and be their best selves through the brand's six pillars of Well-Being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well.  At more than 200 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, guests can experience offerings that include the iconic Heavenly Bed, RunWESTIN and Westin Gear Lending with New Balance, delicious and nutritious SuperFoodsRx™ and more.  To learn more, visit www.westin.com. Stay connected to Westin: @westin on Twitter and Instagram and facebook.com/Westin.

About Marriott International, Inc. 
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is the world's largest hotel company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 6,000 properties in over 120 countries. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company's 30 leading brands include: Bulgari Hotels and Resorts®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by Marriott^SM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy Hotels®, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com and @MarriottIntl.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements: The statements about the expansion of the Westin Hotels & Resorts hotel portfolio over the next five years and expected North American hotel openings by the end of 2017 are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, not historical facts, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth; and other risk factors identified in the most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q that Marriott International, Inc. has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those statements. Those statement is made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Westin Hotels & Resorts