Bethesda, Md., February 19, 2015 - Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) has been ranked the World's Most Admired Lodging Company by FORTUNE, another step toward its vision to be "the world's favorite travel company." Ranking 37 out of the top companies across the globe, Marriott is the highest ranked hospitality company on the list, and the highest ranked company in its headquarters' region, which includes the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  

Marriott ranked #1 in seven of nine key attributes of reputation identified by FORTUNE:  people management; use of corporate assets; social responsibility; quality of management; financial soundness; long-term investment value and global competitiveness.

"Marriott's recognition as the most admired lodging company is a direct reflection on our associates who demonstrate our core values every day in our hotels around the world," said Carl Berquist, executive vice president and chief financial officer for Marriott International.  "We are honored to be named by our peers for our best-in-class brands, business model, strong leadership team and our corporate citizenship."

The 2015 list of FORTUNE's World's Most Admired Companies is available online at www.FORTUNE.com. The complete list will be featured in FORTUNE's March issue, which will be available February 23 on newsstands.  The World's Most Admired list is compiled on behalf of FORTUNE by the Hay Group, a global management consulting firm, through surveying more than 4,100 company executives, directors, and securities analysts.

Marriott's corporate responsibility practices have also been recognized by Ethisphere Institute, FTSE4Good, The Keystone Center and Climate Counts.  For a list of other awards and recognition, visit http://news.marriott.com/awards-and-recognition.html

METHODOLOGY
The Most Admired list is the definitive report card on corporate reputations. Our survey partners at Hay Group started with approximately 1,400 companies: the ­Fortune 1,000-the 1,000 largest U.S. companies ranked by revenue and non-U.S. companies in ­Fortune's Global 500 database with revenues of $10 billion or more. Hay then selected the 15 largest for each international industry and the 10 largest for each U.S. industry, surveying a total of 668 companies from 29 countries. To create the 55 industry lists, Hay asked executives, directors, and analysts to rate companies in their own industry on nine criteria, from investment value to social responsibility. A company's score must rank in the top half of its industry survey to be listed.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,100 properties in 79 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands.www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with elizabeth.mcglasson@marriott.com

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