National Photo Contest Celebrates Your "Travel Turning Point"

BETHESDA, Md., May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Life is a series of crossroads... moments that may unexpectedly take you down a different path. These moments happen when you least expect them...sometimes, they take place on the road. These are "travel turning points."

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130320/PH80631LOGO ) 

TownePlace Suites by Marriott launches today its "Travel Turning Point" photo contest. From now until September 1, 2013, travelers from across the United States and Canada* are asked to submit a photo and a caption that describes how a travel experience has been a positive turning point in their lives.

"Whether it's bonding with your teenage daughter at the beach, or a weekend trip with friends that turns into a new job opportunity, 'travel turning points' happen all of the time," said Loren Nalewanski, vice president and global brand manager, TownePlace Suites. "TownePlace Suites wants to share these great experiences and celebrate them by enabling winners to make more memories, take more trips and enjoy life."

TownePlace Suites is offering more than $10,000 in prizes to 30 lucky winners. Five grand prize winners will receive $1,000 in cash, as well as 10 free hotel nights at any of the more than 200 TownePlace Suites properties. Ten runners-up will receive two free hotel nights. Fifteen honorable mentions will receive a TownePlace Suites T-shirt.

Travelers can enter the TownePlace Suites Travel Turning Point photo contest by visiting www.TownePlaceTurningPoint.com. More details and official rules are available on the site.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott is an all-suite, extended-stay hotel brand in the moderate price range. Ranked #1 for mid-price extended stays by Business Travel News' Hotel Chain Survey in 2011 and 2012, TownePlace Suites is the only brand to rank at the top of its tier for both years. Ideal for travelers who need accommodations for longer stays, TownePlace Suites offer studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and separate living/working and sleeping areas. Launched in 1997, the brand currently has more than 200 locations in the United States and Canada. TownePlace Suites participates in the award-winning Marriott Rewards^® frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information or reservations, call the TownePlace Suites toll-free number at 800-257-3000 or visit www.towneplacesuites.com.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

*excludes the province of Quebec

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.