Marriott International “Maps” Out Pioneering Hospitality Education Program in China

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) today announced a "Marriott Apprentice Program" (MAP program) in collaboration with the prestigious Nankai University and American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute for China. This is a pioneering hospitality education initiative that innovatively integrates a sustained internship with both campus and online learning.

Nankai University is going to enroll students nationwide for the MAP program. It is also responsible for providing the curriculum, classroom instruction and coordinating the program. The enrolled students are expected to undergo a five-year comprehensive hotel education program that consists of 18 months of learning on campus, 38 months of combined online learning and internship at Marriott hotels in two phases, as well as a final evaluation featuring progressive performance appraisal of the internships.

Students who have successfully completed the MAP program will receive graduation certificates from Nankai University, as well as the internationally recognized certificates from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. They will also receive supervisory job offers from Marriott International. For those outstanding graduates of the MAP program, they will seamlessly be connected to the Global Voyage Program, Marriott's proprietary "future leader incubator" targeting elite university graduates worldwide.

"We are honored and excited to work with Nankai University and American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute on the MAP program. This collaboration will not only benefit the long-term growth of Marriott International in China, but also help take the country's hospitality education to the next level," said Regan Taikitsadaporn, Chief Human Resources Officer for Asia Pacific of Marriott International.

"The MAP program is another vivid example of our company's purpose that we open doors to a world of opportunity. China has an abundant supply of talented youth – Giving them the right kind of training, coaching and support, they will shine and become high caliber professionals for our industry," Taikitsadaporn added.

"The MAP program represents the state-of-the-art local and international hospitality education that is being backed by one of the most established hotel groups worldwide. Marriott International plays a pivotal role in the MAP program as it provides our students with internship opportunities, systematic on-job training for all positions within the hotel including managerial ones, as well as supervisory job offers for those outstanding performers," said Guan Naijia, Vice Chancellor of Nankai University. "The three partners are offering our potential students a unique package of theoretical and on-the-job internship education and training that is exceptional in China."

"Our institute has over 60 years of experience in providing working hospitality professionals with education and training. We are continually elevating our programs to ensure the industry will get a variety of hospitality solutions that reflect the best practices in the hotel and lodging sector. We are pleased to work with Marriott International and Nankai University to make a contribution to the development of the hospitality industry of China," said Leon Shi, Country Manager of Operations – Greater China of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.

Nankai University is going to enroll students for the MAP program right after the three partners sign the co-operation agreement today (August 26). The annual enrollment of students will be determined in accordance with Marriott's projected demand for supervisory associates in China over the next five years. The 2014 enrollment will be 150 students.

Nankai University
A key multidisciplinary and research-oriented university directly under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Nankai University, located in Tianjin on the border of the sea of Bohai, is also the alma mater of late Premier Zhou Enlai. Nankai University was founded in 1919 by the famous patriotic educators, Mr. Zhang Boling and Mr. Yan Xiu. During the Anti-Japanese war (1937-1945), Nankai University, Peking University (Beijing University) and Tsinghua University (Qinghua University) united in Kunming to form the renowned Southwest Associated University. Inn 2000, the State Ministry of Education signed an agreement with Tianjin Municipal Government to jointly establish and develop Nankai University. Since then, Nankai University has been listed among universities for priority development in the 21st century. For more information, please visit our website at www.nankai.edu.cn

American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) was founded in 1953 to provide working hospitality professionals with education and training. AHLEI continues to meet the needs of the industry with a variety of hospitality solutions, including online learning, professional certification, and resources for high schools, colleges, and workforce agencies. It offers online learning and courses with textbooks and digital material to enhance the hospitality learning experience. AHLEI's programs are all recognized by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and conform to the best practices in the hotel and lodging industry. For more information, please visit www.ahlei.org

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,100 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy^®, its highly awarded travel program. Connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.