So Many Hotels, So Little Time, Problem Solved

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- You and your Smartphone need a vacation. Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) announces the perfect travel companion™ to make it easier than ever to plan and book your next hotel stay wherever you are. Marriott has launched a brand new, free mobile app for iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android devices. Don't have one of these devices?  No problem.  Marriott also announces the launch of its all new "app-like" mobile website that can be accessed from any web-enabled mobile device -- the site even sports that "app feel," from taps to finger-swipes.  

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090217/MARRIOTTINTLLOGO )

To download the free Marriott app go to: www.Marriott.com/mobile, test drive it and then write a review in the App Store, Android Market or BlackBerry App World™.

The new Marriott Mobile tools enable time-crunched travelers to quickly find nearby hotels, book a room, check their upcoming reservations and get details about their hotel, including photos. With the app and mobile website, travelers can also enroll in Marriott Rewards, check their point balance, and even find out what's happening in the local area.  

"We know that more than half of hotel reservations made using mobile devices are for same-day stays.  This shows how rushed mobile travelers are; speed and choice are critical," said Shafiq Khan, senior vice president of eCommerce, Marriott International. "With a few taps, you can now get immediate access on-the-go to our 3,600 hotels across 13 brands in 71 countries."

eMarketer predicts that 29 million consumers will plan travel on the mobile internet in 2012, a more than 50 percent increase over 2011 levels. They also forecast consumers booking travel on their mobile devices will nearly double to 15 million by 2012. Through June of this year, Marriott's mobile website has been averaging nearly 2.6 million visits a month and $21 million in property-level revenue a month, which is more than three times the volume compared to the same time period from the year before. Apps are the next natural extension to fuel Marriott International's rapid online growth through Marriott.com. In 2010 based on property-level sales, Marriott.com ranked among the top ten consumer retail websites in the world.  

Marriott's mobile app for smartphones and its upgraded mobile website were provided and developed by AT&T as part of AT&T's Mobile Enterprise Applications Platform, which provides unique Write Once, Run Everywhere platform technology utilizing its work with Kony Solutions. The platform leverages a single application definition so applications are designed and developed just once, meaning Marriott will be able to deliver richer content to its guests more quickly. Marriott's mobile website and apps are hosted and managed by AT&T and include quality control testing to ensure the most positive user experience.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information.  For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.