ORLANDO, Fla. – Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the vacation ownership division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), proudly celebrates 25 years of preserving one of the oldest family traditions – the family vacation.

"Frankly, it's changed our lives," says Peter Pfiel an Owner at Marriott's Monarch at Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, S.C., since 1984. Pfiel and his family made the trip from Cincinnati to Marriott's very first vacation ownership resort every summer. Today the Pfiels are among nearly 400,000 Owner families at more than 50 distinct Marriott Vacation Club resorts throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

"This year marks a great milestone and one I am very proud of – the silver anniversary of Marriott Vacation Club International," said Stephen P. Weisz, president of Marriott Vacation Club International. "On the business side, it's been amazing to watch MVCI revolutionize an entire industry. On the personal side, it's exciting to think of all of the families who are creating a lifetime of vacation memories through Marriott Vacation Club," continued Weisz.

On April 17, 1984, Marriott became the first branded hospitality company by nearly a decade to enter the timeshare industry with the acquisition of American Resorts and its 184-villa project which became Marriott's Monarch at Sea Pines. With just 7,000 Owners at the end of its first year, the division lost no time making its mark on the fledgling timeshare industry.

Marriott Vacation Club marks its first 25 years with an impressive 91 percent customer satisfaction rating. With more than 50 percent of the company's business coming from Owners purchasing additional weeks and referring friends, the common denominator for many is Marriott's signature quality and service.

A typical Marriott Vacation Club two-bedroom, two-bath villa includes a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances; generous living and dining areas; multiple flat-panel televisions with DVD players; oversized shower with multiple shower heads in master suite; washer/dryer; balcony; and wireless high-speed internet access.

"Over the next 25 years we'll continue to experiment with our product form," said Weisz. "We'll continue to understand how we can give our customers more flexibility and work with the best of the best to make sure the physical product is current for generations to come and will continue our legacy of creating unforgettable vacation experiences."

About Marriott Vacation Club

Marriott Vacation Club is the recognized worldwide leader in vacation ownership with more than 50 resorts and 10,600 timeshare resort villas throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Today nearly 400,000 vacation owners around the globe own their vacations "the Marriott way" in a program highly regarded for its quality and unique flexibility. For more information on ownership, please visit . For nightly rentals, please visit .

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,100 lodging properties in 66 countries and territories.

Ed Kinney
Marriott Vacation Club International
(407) 206-6278
Marriott Vacation Club