Marriott Hotels President visits Sydney

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International, Mr J.W. (Bill) Marriott Jr, paid his first visit to Australia this week, inspecting the soon-to-be refurbished Sydney Marriott Hotel on Hyde Park, the recently upgraded Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Parramatta and the site of the new Courtyard by Marriott in the Sydney suburb of North Ryde.

The extensive upgrades and expansion of the Marriott properties, the group's recent decision to open its first property in Fiji and the investigatory visit to New Zealand, confirm Marriott Hotels' commitment and confidence in the Australasian and Pacific regions.

Marriott International has 2,700 lodging properties located in 63 countries and territories including seven properties in Australia - three in Sydney, one each in Melbourne and Brisbane and two on the Gold Coast, with the new North Ryde property scheduled to open late in 2004.